By Nellie Nyirenda

Blantyre, February 9, Mana: Islamic Relief Malawi, under the lntegrated Protection and Basic Needs Support (IPBNS) project, has handed over the solar–powered water system to Mpapa Primary School at Traditional Authority (TA) Somba in Blantyre to ease water challenges that compromises child education.

Speaking during the handover ceremony this week, Islamic Relief Malawi Project Coordinator, Ajasi Hussein, observed that Mpapa was one of the schools that faced water challenges hence provision of the piped water to ensure that learners access clean and portable water at a convenient place.

“The project’s goal is to contribute to the fulfillment of basic rights and core needs for vulnerable communities in three group village heads of Blantyre. Islamic Relief, under the project which started in October 2021, has built houses and sanitary facilities such as toilets for poor families and today, we are handing over the solar-powered water system,” said Hussein.

He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the infrastructural development to benefit them now and in the future.

In his remarks, Director of Education, Youth and Sports for Blantyre District Council, Paul Chiphanda, expressed gratitude to Islamic Relief Malawi for the project saying the development will help prevent water-borne diseases that come due to poor hygiene.

“We have 16 zones with more than 100 schools in Blantyre and Mpapa Primary School is one of them. We appreciate what Islamic Relief Malawi has done,” said Chiphanda.

Islamic Relief Malawi implements several projects aimed at increasing resilience to natural disaster apart from tackling food insecurity by supporting vulnerable families in local communities as a way of building secure livelihood.

The organisation also runs seasonal programmes by distributing ramadan and ourbani food parcels to needy families.