Johnny Hein Memorial Water Well-Chindamba, Malawi

Inspired by his Christian faith, and Christ’s call in Matthew 25 to serve “the least of these,” Johnny led a life of true significance and service that glorified God.

 

Over his lifetime, Johnny contributed significantly in both time and treasure to his home church, Southwest Community Church (formerly Southern Gables). He also supported countless missionaries, and many other international humanitarian endeavors and ministries including: Project C.U.R.E. The Seed Company, Freshwater Project International, and International Students Incorporated. He also devoted time to prison ministries, volunteered at The Children’s Hospital, led Community Bible Study (CBS) groups, and spent a lot of time with his beloved grandchildren, Aiden and Ashley.

 

His substantial contribution of love and service over his lifetime is an example of faithful devotion to following God’s will and call.

 

At Freshwater Project International and into eternity, Johnny Hein’s kind heart will continue to be remembered and honored as a legacy of faith-in-action that we can all strive to follow in our own lives.

 

Help us honor Johnny's legacy by donating to the Chindamba Village Well Project.

In partnership with the Chulochosema Presbyterian Church in Malawi and faith-driven donors in the US, Freshwater Project International has completed 10 community-driven water projects in the areas adjacent to the church (near Zomba). Pastor Silas Ncozana and Deacon Dickson Chikwawa have together selected additional communities in the catchment area in desperate need of a consistent and accessible clean water source.  This large, friendly village of almost 2,000 community members was prioritized first in receiving support. 


Chindamba Village:

# of Households: 380
Total # of People: 1,900
# of Children under 5: 1,140

Current Water Situation: Unimproved Unprotected/Surface Water 


This large village has only inconsistent access to water for 6 months of the year from a shallow, unprotected dug well.  Unprotected wells are easily contaminated and can make drawing water difficult. The rest of the year, water must be accessed from a stream or other surface water sources, which can be extremely dangerous in the rainy season. When it floods, the stream is precarious and very difficult to collect water or to cross. The surface water can be dangerous and unsafe to drink. Sometimes villagers walk to another village 2-3 kilometers away to access water and must wait in long queues. 


About half of the people reported experiences of diarrhea, vomiting, etc. due to poor water quality during the dry season, and the number jumps to 70% who reported suffering from water-borne diseases during the rainy season. 

Distance to water sources: 15-20 minutes average from all the homes

Total time to collect water for a single round trip including queuing:  2 hours due to long queues

Geography: Hilly landscape. Current dug well is at the bottom of the hill on one side but the village stretches out on both sides of the hill. Those on the other side of the hill usually only go to the stream for water and don’t use the dug well at all. All villagers go to the stream during the 6 months of the year when the dug well is not working OR to one of the two villages near by. But the other 2 villages are still too far for the villagers on the other side of the hill.


Community Member Quotes:
“We depend on this shallow well to have water for drinking. A public health officer advised us to be treating the water with a chlorine dose so that we should not get sick from water borne diseases. The other unfortunate thing is our village is big and from residents near the village head’s house, they have to travel close to 2 km to draw water here” - Mrs Mary Matiya

“This is our only source of water and most times we find many people on the queue waiting to draw water. When the situation is like that, some prefer to draw unpleasant water about half a kilometer from the shallow well to a dug well near the river banks, but now it’s not possible as the site is inaccessible due to heavy rainfalls” – Mrs Rhoda Chimtedza

“We walk so much on foot to come here and draw water, and then wait for some time till it’s our turn to draw the water as this shallow well is used by many people” – Sigele Ayuba

“Sometimes I feel sorry for my children and grandchildren who take so much time to draw water from the shallow well since they have to wait up for the long queues”  -Gogo Abiti Limba (village elder pictured above left)


Summary:  This village has some water accessible but only for 6 months out of the year and only for those villagers who can get to it over the stream. The shallow dug well is not an improved source and the community is in dire need of at least one deep borehole and hand pump.

The wonderful people of Chindamba Village, with the support of Chulochosema Presbyterian Church, request your assistance to help them receive a sustainable, safe clean water source!

Click for more information about Freshwater Project International.

Chindamba Village community members during FPI's initial assessment visit.  

Map of catchment area surrounding Chulocosema Presbyterian Church. Freshwater has completed 10 wells (BLUE) and has assessed 3 additional wells in need in the pipeline. 

Google earth shot of Chindamba Village and proposed borehole.