The Japanese government has provided a grant of over MK44 million towards the supply of safe and potable water in Mangochi district.

The project will be run by the Gift of the Givers Foundation Malawi.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the grant, Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Shuikiro Nishioka, underlined his country’s commitment to supporting social-economic development for Malawi including the water sector.

The grant will facilitate the construction of 20 boreholes for 18 villages in the District.

Chairperson of the Gift of Givers Foundation, Aga Jakhura, disclosed that the donation will aid the provision of safe and clean water in Katema and Namwera which are located 30 and 40 kilometers away from Lake Malawi respectively.

He noted that lack of access to clean and potable water puts a heavy burden on women and children who are, in turn, denied inclusion in the formal education system simply because from an early age, they must walk long distances every day to fetch water instead of attending classes.