WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (WASH)

The Challenge

In many Malawian communities, the lack of access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene practices leads to a high and persistent burden of preventable waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea. This public health crisis disproportionately affects women and girls, who often bear the time-consuming and arduous responsibility of water collection. Poor WASH conditions keep children, especially girls, out of school and undermine both community health and economic development.

OSSEDI's Strategic Response

Our approach is integrated, community-driven, and focused on sustainability. OSSEDI Malawi combine the construction and rehabilitation of climate-resilient water infrastructure with proven behavioural change methodologies like Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). By strengthening local water point committees, promoting sanitation as a business, and ensuring WASH facilities are inclusive, OSSEDI Malawi ensure our interventions are effective and community-owned for the long term.

Flagship Projects and Demonstrated Impact

• Strengthened local WASH governance and improved hygiene outcomes in T/A Kabudula through a $650,000 investment in Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Sanitation Marketing, and vital infrastructure for schools and health centers.
• Reduced the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks for communities recovering from Cyclone Freddy by restoring safe water access for 2,820 households and improving sanitation facilities for 2,240 learners.
• Increased school attendance and enhanced dignity for 1,783 female learners by constructing inclusive, girl-friendly Washrooms and empowering community mother groups with Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) training.
• Eliminated open defecation and significantly reduced public health risks across numerous villages through a $500,000 project that combined community mobilization with the construction of boreholes and sustainable water systems.