OUR PROCESS
Our mission is to bring clean water to rural schools in Malawi. Through the following process, we hope to achieve our mission!
The Joy of Matching Needs
DETERMINING SCHOOL NEED, GATHERING APPLICATIONS, & RAISING FUNDS​
In Malawi, four million people in rural villages don’t have access to clean water. As a result, many students face illness through waterborne disease and low attendance due to dirty, unreliable, and long-distance water sources. Rural Malawian schools have a need for water wells to provide clean and accessible water to support their health and education.
The first step in our process is to connect with schools through an application process where we gather information, including location, student count, etc. This application makes it easy for us to determine which schools have the greatest need and are willing to accept the responsibility of a borehole; those are the ones we choose.
As we connect with the schools’ needs, we also have an interest in connecting with the donor’s need to see a meaningful impact. As we plan for the next borehole drilling season, stay tuned to see which school applications we have accepted. Funds are raised by our donors, and our supporting branches, our arms of the starfish, spread the word about our mission.
Drilling Season Begins
WATER SURVEYING & BOREHOLE DRILLING
Our borehole drilling occurs in spring and autumn, during Malawi’s dry season, to avoid rain. We start by hiring a contractor to conduct a water survey at the school to locate the potential location of the borehole. This process is overseen by our friend Patrick Tembwe, the Malawi Operations Manager. On drilling day, the drill truck arrives and digs 125-150 feet down until water is reached.
Boreholes do not last forever without the proper maintenance. We supply part replacements to be used in borehole repair. We also hire and train local technicians in Malawi to fix boreholes that break down, allowing communities to be self-sufficient and responsible for looking after their own borehole.
As the water comes from the earth, students celebrate and cheer with joy and excitement at their new gift!
Water Is Life!
IMPROVED HEALTH & SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF DONATIONS​
We have drilled over 70 boreholes since 2017, supporting tens of thousands of students and teachers. In one case, our borehole saved a school from closing entirely!
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​As a result of the a new borehole, schools report:
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Lower rates of waterborne disease like Cholera
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Increased class attendance, especially by female students
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Increased school hygiene and cleanliness
Our mission to provide clean water is not possible without generous donations and support. If you want to help education and health for students in Malawi, please consider donating online. In addition, we love to share good news through our free email newsletter and website articles.
