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ODF Celebration ceremony in Machinga District - Community based WASH improvement project in Machinga

date:2024-02-15 count:254

 

 [ ODF Celebration ceremony in Machinga District]
-Community based WASH improvement project in Machinga District-


<ODF celebration ceremony in Chikweo, Mizinga TAs>

On December 14th, an ODF celebration ceremony was held to commemorate 
the achievement of open defecation-free status in Chikweo and Mizinga Traditional Authorities (TAs). 
The two TAs were officially declared to have achieved clean water and sanitation status, receiving ODF certification from the Malawi government.


<ODF certification of Chikweo TA(Left),Congratulations from Mr. Bestone, the Principal Secretary of Ministry of Health(Right)>

Mr. Bestone Chisamile, the Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Health, 
noted that the accomplishment of these two traditional authorities has led to a decrease in waterborne diseases such as Cholera and Diarrhea, not only within the districts but also throughout Malawi.


Mr. Maxwell Chiputula, the Country Manager of the Heart to Heart Foundation Malawi, stated that the 'Community-based WASH Improvement project,' conducted through collaboration between 
the Malawi government and HtHF, resulted in no reported cases of Cholera in Chikweo TA. He emphasized that the project is yielding positive outcomes through cooperation with local villagers and the government.



<Child reciting a poem (Left) Villagers dancing traditional dances (Right)>

The ceremony was enhanced by performances from community members, including various traditional dances, poems, and drama.

<Mizinga TA health facility workers>


During the event, villagers from Chikweo and Mizinga TAs expressed their commitment to maintaining the elimination of open defecation,

acknowledging the efforts of the HtHF and the local government in striving to improve the WASH conditions.


We will continue to collaborate with the local government and villagers in other areas of the Machinga district to enhance WASH status, aiming to protect the community from waterborne diseases.


<Heart to Heart Foundation is implementing the “Community-Based Wash improvement project in Machinga District, Malawi (2022-2024)”

as a part of the KOICA(Korean International Cooperation Agency)’ Civil Society Partnership Program.>




 

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