In Malawi, there is a popular saying, “Madzi Ndi Moyo,” which translates to “Water Is Life.” However, if the water source, like a local river or shallow hand-dug well, is not clean or safe (“oyera”), it can bring both sustenance and illness to the community.
Recently, the residents of Mthondo Village in Malawi received both the Gospel message and access to clean water. Families observed as the drilling team dug down to the aquifer, laboring late into the night to secure the well with gravel. This new, uncontaminated water source will safeguard the 125 families in Mthondo from cholera and other illnesses.
Southern Africa, including Malawi, faced a severe cholera outbreak in 2023. Although the number of new cases has decreased from 700 per week to an average of 11 per week in 2024, reports of cholera-related deaths are still received by the You Turn well technicians during post-installation interviews.
For instance, Pansi Village (27 households) experienced a cholera outbreak resulting in three deaths. Chisaka Village (130 households) also had a recent cholera outbreak, but fortunately, no deaths were reported. In rural areas without local healthcare or financial resources, clean water becomes the primary defense against waterborne diseases.
You Turn is dedicated to providing both clean water and the Gospel to villages such as Mthondo, Pansi, and Chisaka. The provision of clean water not only improves health but also enables ongoing Gospel outreach. After installing a well, we revisit the village to educate residents on maintaining and caring for their new water source. This holistic approach, encompassing Gospel teachings and water access, aims to empower villages to value and care for the gift they have received in the name of Jesus.
