In consultation with the community, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) identified the lack of safe drinking water as a pressing issue. After discussing potential solutions, it was collectively decided that installing six covered wells made from sturdy concrete and equipped with efficient hand pump systems would be the most effective and sustainable solution. The initiative is not just about providing water but about safeguarding the health of these communities. 

"The wells are seven metres deep," explains Castro Pereira, an MSF water and sanitation technician. “Samples of the well water have already been taken to the provincial water laboratory. It has been tested and is safe for consumption. There is no problem." Pereira has been leading the project, which now supports approximately 350 households. 

The new systems, designed for ease of use, require little maintenance and are very simple to operate, making the wells accessible to all individuals, regardless of age or ability. 

MSF is working on the project in close partnership with community leaders and the health department. The Community Water Committee is a key group that plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the project. Committee members are made up of community members who undergo specialised training. Their dedication and involvement are key to the success of the initiative. You can adapt the sentence if you are sure about the selection process. 

The committee serves as the custodian of the wells. Their responsibilities include mobilising the community to participate in activities such as regular well cleaning, organising the queue for water collection and conducting routine inspections to identify potential problems. In addition, the committee serves as a liaison between the community and MSF, identifying resources and support to maintain the functionality of the wells. The Community Water Committee safeguarded these essential water sources for their longevity and continued benefit to everyone by fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility. 

Fatima Aluano is a member of the Community Water Committee. "I've been fortunate to receive training that helps me to collaborate effectively with my community to ensure these local water sources are accessible in the long term. Through this training, I've been able to mobilise my community to actively participate in initiatives aimed at maintaining the wells," she says. 

"Before the wells were built, our only option was to rely on river water to meet our basic needs. This often meant exposing ourselves to contaminated water sources, leading to numerous health concerns for our community. However, with the construction of protected wells, we now have access to clean and safe water right within our village. It is peace of mind to feel secure," Aluano continues.  

Water, climate, and health are interconnected. The Mogovolas well-building project shows how taking an integrated approach can allow all three issues to be addressed, as well as empower the community through training and saving time by bringing safe water closer to the people.  

Residents no longer have to walk long distances to collect water; they have more time to engage in income-generating activities such as farming, which is the livelihood of most people in Mogovolas.  

“We use water for everything—from cooking and drinking to bathing and other household needs. Access to clean water has transformed our lives, bringing us a sense of security,” says Rabia Chico, a mother of two children who lives in the Muepane community in Mogovolas. 

"I'm incredibly thankful for the gift of this well because we've never had access to anything like it before,” Chico continues. “Previously, we endured long and dangerous routes to collect water, which is the same as we did when needing to reach a hospital. Now, this essential resource is right at our doorstep. The illnesses that once infected us are gradually disappearing because we now have access to clean and safe water. This has made a difference, especially for our children, who used to suffer greatly from waterborne diseases. The days of hardship are finally behind us.” 

MSF has been in Mozambique since 1984 and has run multiple programmes nationwide. In 2023, MSF responded to extreme weather events and multiple cholera outbreaks and provided healthcare to people affected by the conflict in Cabo Delgado. MSF offers sexual and reproductive health services, preventive measures and treatment for selected vector-borne, waterborne and neglected tropical diseases, as well as medical and mental health support for displaced people. In 2023, MSF provided 280,600 outpatient consultations and 5,770 individual mental health consultations and treated 3,990 people for cholera and 2,240 people with advanced HIV in Mozambique.