CHITIPA DCT COMMENDS KARONGA DIOCESE’S CT WASH PROJECT: SUSTAINABLE WATER & SANITATION IN GVH KOPAKOPA
By Noel Chatepa
Officials from Chitipa District Coordinating Team (DCT) say they are impressed with the interventions being implemented in the Karonga Dioceses’ Community Transformation (CT) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene project being implemented in GVH Kopakopa, T/A Nthalire in the district. The remarks were made on a field visit organized by the Dioceses’ Caritas Commission for the officials from the District Council on 6th May 2025 to appreciate the work being done on the ground.
The delegation included representatives from key sectors such as the District Water Office, District Health Office, and District Community Development Office. During their visit, they had the chance to visit various interventions within the project including Sanitation Marketing Centers and boreholes that have been drilled by the project in the area. They also engaged with project volunteer groups such as Borehole Area Mechanics, Sanitation Entrepreneurs, and Borehole committees practising Village Savings and Loans of which funds realized are meant for repair and maintenance of the boreholes.
In an interview with Mr. Mordecai Mbowe, Senior Assistant to the Environmental Health Officer for Chitipa District and WASH Coordinator at a national level, he highlighted the importance of Sanitation Marketing Centers. “These centers serve as vital resources for showcasing different types of latrines that community members can adopt based on their financial capabilities, religious beliefs, and local soil conditions”, said Mbowe.
Mbowe commended the Diocese’s efforts in establishing a network of Sanitation Entrepreneurs (Promoters) in Kopakopa which enhances outreach compared to relying on a single promoter alone. He noted that given Kopakopa’s large geographical area, having multiple entrepreneurs allows for wider coverage and greater success in achieving project goals.
Additionally, Mr. Wilton Kishombe, Assistant Water Resources Officer for Chitipa District, commended the work of Area Mechanics who play a crucial role in assisting with both major and minor maintenance of boreholes within their communities. He emphasized that community involvement is necessary for ensuring sustainable maintenance of the boreholes. “Area mechanics provide lower-cost maintenance solutions since they are based within the community,” he explained.
Furthermore, Kishombe pointed out that the Borehole Village Savings and Loan Groups model creates readily available funds for purchasing necessary parts and conducting maintenance which is an important factor compared to situations where communities must gather funds only after a borehole has broken down.
The Karonga Diocese Community Transformation Program funded by Cross Catholic Outreach is implementing projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Nutrition, Spiritual Evangelism, Health, Agriculture, Education and Economic Empowerment in the three program sites of Jalawe (Rumphi), Chankholombe (Karonga) and Kopakopa (Chitipa).