Conclusion of Kamsonga Full Primary School Borehole Repair Project – Malawi

Conclusion of Kamsonga Full Primary School Borehole Repair Project – Malawi

This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Erica Ward. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.

The project was to repair the borehole and restore it to full functionality.

Erica reports:

The materials to repair the borehole at Kamsonga Full Primary school were purchased at Ntchisi Boma (the main town in the district). Materials purchased included: pump rods, pins, bearings, u-seals, bobbins, a rod hanger assembly, foot valve assemblies, plastic plungers, solvent cement, o-rings, riser pipes, hex bolts and nuts, and a pump head. The materials were transported using a truck owned by a local driver.

Repair of the borehole was done in about one week. The following people were involved in the maintenance:

  1. The borehole committee, including the chairperson, the secretary, the treasurer and two members.
  2. The school staff: the PEA, the Headteacher, and two teachers.  The PEA provided spanners, transport and food for all those who were present.
  3. Five people from the local community who assisting in pulling out old pipes and putting in new pipe.
  4. A local expert from a nearby town was hired to deal with more complicated maintenance such as fitting the pipes, rods and other parts that were worn out.

The rehabilitated borehole brought the following changes:

  1. The school, which has an enrollment of over 1,000 learners, has access to good water for drinking
  2. The teaching staff and their families use the borehole water for domestic purposes.
  3. The community around the school also uses the water for domestic purposes.
  4. The water assists in school sanitary facilities.

We wish to thank Erica for completing this project, and again extend our gratitude to The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust and Erica’s friends for providing the funding.