Heart to Heart Foundation, with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA),
is implementing a Community-Based Integrated WASH Project in Malawi from 2025 to 2027.
Toilets and handwashing facilities built by community members
This project is based on the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach,
which empowers community members to recognize sanitation challenges on their own and take collective action to solve them.
Stakeholders engaging in discussions during a meeting
CLTS activities were carried out in a total of 79 villages in the TA M’biza area,
with Natural Leaders and community leaders taking the lead in continuous monitoring and follow-up activities in each village.
[“Our village is now free from open defecation” – ODF certification]
To verify whether meaningful change had taken place,
community leaders and Natural Leaders jointly requested an ODF verification
from the Zomba District Planning and Coordination Team.
ODF verification was conducted in 79 villages,
during which district officials visited every village and inspected household-level sanitation conditions.
Government officials inspecting community-built toilets against ODF standards
During the verification process, the following criteria were carefully assessed:
- Whether households have toilets and are actively using them
- Whether handwashing facilities with soap are available
- Whether toilet hole covers are properly installed
- Whether toilets are structurally safe and durable
- Whether privacy is adequately ensured
- Whether any signs of open defecation remain inside or around the village
[74 out of 79 villages officially declared ODF]
As a result of the verification, 74 out of 79 villages were officially declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Government officials interviewing community members
This achievement far exceeded the original target of 16 villages, surpassing it by 58 additional villages.
It represents a meaningful transformation driven by the collective efforts
of community members and local leaders.
[Sustaining the change]
Heart to Heart Foundation will continue to work closely with local government authorities
to ensure that the 74 ODF-certified villages maintain clean and healthy environments.
For the remaining 5 villages that have not yet met the ODF criteria,
additional support and activities will be provided to help them achieve ODF status.
Change does not begin with facilities.
It begins with people’s participation and action.
Today in Malawi,
clean and sustainable change continues to grow—
led by the communities themselves.
Toilets painted with messages promoting positive hygiene behavior
Please continue to walk with us
on this journey toward cleaner and healthier communities,
created together by Heart to Heart Foundation and the people of Malawi.
<Heart to Heart Foundation, with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA),
is implementing the Community participatory Integrated WASH Improvement Project in Zomba District, Malawi>
