Overflowing Joy: Matrida’s Family Receives Safe, Clean Water

In the fall of 2024, receiving access to safe water brought overflowing joy to 6,000 people in Chimwenje, Malawi. 

Last month, we shared the story of Matrida and her husband, Robert, who live in Chimwenje. Matrida was eight months pregnant with her first child when our team initially met her. 

Before her town had access to safe water nearby, Matrida had to walk a long distance to collect water for everyday use. The well water she used was contaminated, often causing illnesses among herself, her family, and her neighbors. 

Receiving access to safe water was urgent for the expecting parents. Diarrhea is the third leading cause of death in children under 5 years old, killing more than 443,800 children every year. 

Despite these hardships, Matrida and Robert rejoiced when they welcomed their son, Andrew Robert, into the world. During their first few months of parenthood, they clung to the hope that they would soon have safe water nearby.  

That hope became a reality when we finished building a solar-powered water system in Chimwenje in partnership with Compassion International and community residents.  

We designed the system to meet international standards and provide more than enough safe water for all 6,000 residents, including 3,600 children. A trained Safe Water Committee, made up of local leaders, will oversee the system’s ongoing maintenance. 

With safe water close to home, Matrida and Robert can spend more time on income-generating activities, such as farming, that allow them to invest in their family’s future.   

Baby Andrew Robert is now nearly two years old. As he grows up, having access to safe, clean water means he will have more opportunities to remain healthy, missing fewer days of school and spending more time enjoying his childhood.  

Matrida and Robert have hope for their son’s future and well-being. 

But many families are still trapped in a cycle of poverty enhanced by a lack of safe, clean water.  

Women and girls are walking long distances for water, even while pregnant. Parents are struggling to provide for their families when water-related illnesses prevent them from working. Children have little opportunity for success when they frequently miss school due to water-related illnesses. 

There is a solution. You can provide safe water so that women like Matrida don’t have to walk for water and babies like Andrew Robert can grow up healthy and strong. 

This Christmas, our generous partner, Sandbaggy.com, will match all gifts up to $20,000. That means your gift today will make double the impact, blessing even more people with safe, clean water.