WATER FOR AFRICA RESOLVES WATER SHORTAGE AT IPILIMO PRIMARY SCHOOL
By Matukio Daima Media
Water for Africa, in partnership with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, has significantly improved access to safe and clean water in Kibao Village, Mufindi District, Iringa Region, easing a long-standing challenge that had affected residents and public institutions for many years.
The project has enabled residents, Ipilimo Primary School and other schools in the area to access clean water close to their homes and learning institutions, eliminating the need to travel long distances in search of water, particularly during the dry season when many traditional water sources dried up.
Residents of Kibao said that before the project was implemented, most households depended on rivers and distant water sources.
As a result, women and children spent many hours fetching water instead of engaging in productive economic activities or attending school.TAZAMA FULL VIDEO BOFYA LINK HII
Speaking to Matukio Daima Media, village resident Sanga described Water for Africa as a true lifeline for the community, saying the project had restored hope to the people of Kibao.
He urged the organisation to expand its services to other areas facing similar water shortages.
Another resident, Anna Pila, said women had previously carried the greatest burden of collecting water for their families. She noted that the project had eased this responsibility, improved family health, and given women more time to participate in income-generating activities and care for their children.
The Head Teacher of Ipilimo Primary School, Baraka Filibatari, said the school had struggled with severe water shortages, forcing pupils to leave classrooms to fetch water from distant locations.
"The hilly terrain of Kibao made water collection even more difficult, causing pupils to lose valuable learning time while teachers were unable to perform their duties effectively due to the lack of water," he said.
Filibatari added that the availability of clean water through Water for Africa had answered a long-standing appeal from both school leaders and the local community.
He said the project had brought great relief to pupils, teachers and parents by creating a better learning environment.
However, he pointed out that the demand for water remains high despite the construction of four water points serving the area.
He appealed to Water for Africa and the Government to expand the project so that more schools and neighbouring villages could also benefit from reliable water services.
Water for Africa Tanzania Manager Nestori Sanga said the organisation is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to implementing water projects in schools, health facilities, villages, churches and other community institutions in collaboration with the Government and development partners.
He said the organisation has been implementing water projects in Mufindi, Kilolo, Iringa Rural District and parts of Njombe Region, including Makambako, by drilling new boreholes and rehabilitating damaged water infrastructure to ensure communities continue receiving reliable water services.
"We prioritise areas facing acute water shortages or where existing water systems have broken down Our goal is to ensure communities have reliable access to clean water without having to walk long distances," he said.
Nestori further explained that all water supplied through Water for Africa projects is tested in Government laboratories to ensure it is safe for human consumption. He also urged communities to protect and maintain the water infrastructure to guarantee the sustainability of the projects for future generations.
Kibao Village Chairperson David Luvanda commended the Sixth Phase Government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for strengthening partnerships with development organisations such as Water for Africa to improve rural water services.
He said the project has transformed the lives of local residents by improving public health, education and socio-economic activities, describing it as a successful example of effective collaboration between the Government and development partners
