Running Water Brings New Life to Moonzwe Rural Health Centre
For years, Moonzwe Rural Health Centre struggled without running water, forcing nurses to fetch water from a hand pump, even in the dead of night. The situation was dire. Expecting mothers arriving for delivery faced not only the challenge of childbirth but also the risk of encountering snakes near the pump. It was an unsafe and unsanitary reality that put lives at risk. But in 2024, change finally came. Located 42 kilometers west of Monze district, with a population of 4,422, Moonzwe rural health centre serves a catchment area of 38 villages.
Lushomo Hamusonde, the nurse in charge, recalls the difficult past. “We used to use a hand pump for fetching water. The biggest challenge was at night when an expecting mother came to deliver. The area around the pump was not safe because of snakes, which posed another hazard to patients.”
Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, the Moonzwe Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) group stepped in to monitor the clinic’s standards. What they found was alarming, patients struggling to access water, a situation that compromised both hygiene and healthcare services.
“Through the knowledge World Vision imparted to us, we had a meeting with the community where we identified major problems, and the water crisis was voted the most pressing,” said Mooka Maboshe, Secretary of the Moonzwe CVA group.
“We conducted power mapping to identify organizations that could help. Through lobbying efforts, we engaged the local council and were advised to apply for funding through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). That’s how the mechanized water system upgrade was made possible,” said Maboshe.
With running water now flowing at the health centre, the transformation has been remarkable. Home deliveries have decreased as more mothers opt to give birth at the clinic. Waterborne diseases like diarrhea have also been reduced, benefiting not just the clinic but the surrounding community.
“I can now easily clean my clinical equipment and wash my hands,” said Nurse Hamusonde. “CVA has been a great support system. They don’t just bring change; they continue to visit us, ensuring that progress is being made.”
The impact of CVA in Moonzwe extends beyond the clinic. The group has played a role in advocating for education, helping with school re-entry programs, ending child marriages, and upgrading Moonzwe Primary School into a secondary school with more teachers. Their advocacy also led to the deployment of a midwife to the clinic, further strengthening maternal care.
“We are now well-equipped with knowledge. Even if World Vision leaves, we will continue using the Citizen Voice and Action model to drive change in our community. We now know where to seek help,” Maboshe affirmed. “Thank you, World Vision. Just by educating us about CVA, you have sparked real change.”
As clean water continues to flow, the health and well-being of Moonzwe community has significantly improved. Mothers now deliver their babies in safer conditions, children have better access to education, and the community is empowered to advocate for its needs.