About Us

Because of success we experienced in finding, drilling, and maintaining boreholes in all four villages, we formed SWRG to continue this model and assist more communities in locating accessible water resources.

We provide research, engagement, and education to ensure a sustainable water future for communities in Africa.

Our holistic approach to water development  for rural villages was successfully demonstrated during a 2-year project led by Timothy Larson through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Zuze Dulanya at the University of Malawi Chancellor College. This initial effort was funded by Geoscientists Without Borders.

We identified water-challenged villages, created trusting relationships with local stakeholders to identify their needs, conducted sophisticated hydrogeologic testing of the area to determine the best locations for constructing new water infrastructure, and followed-up with training and support to ensure  sustained use of the new water source.

We bring together geologists, social scientists, policy and district officials, and community leaders to:

• understand the community’s specific water needs;

• locate suitable ground water resources;

• facilitate construction of appropriate water points;

• and provide training to maintain them.

 Zuze Dulanya, PhD  is a Professor of Geology at the Geography and Earth Sciences Department, Chancellor College, University of Malawi.He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Malawi, a master’s degree from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, and a doctoral degree from the University of Potsdam, Germany. His research interests are in geological resources, paleo-environmental changes and their impacts at various time scales.

Donald A. Keefer, PhD is a research affiliate with the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his Bachelor’s , Master’s, and PhD degrees. He has almost 40 years experience as a professional geologist, specializing in the characterization and modeling of near-surface geologic systems for groundwater resource protection and management. 

Timothy H. Larson, PhD is a research affiliate with the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his PhD. He has over 40 years of experience in applied geophysics, specializing in near-surface mapping techniques.

Evance Mwathunga, PhD is Associate Professor of Geography and former Head in the Department of Geography, Earth Sciences and Environment at the University of Malawi. He holds graduate degrees from Heriot Watt University, Scotland and Stellenbosch University in South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience of teaching, research, consultancy and outreach on settlement planning and urbanization of the cities of the global south, groundwater governance, and rural development. He is the program coordinator for the Master of Science in Water Science and Management and the PhD program in Geography and Earth Sciences in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences at the University of Malawi. 

Debra Levey Larson is the director of communications for SWRG.  She had a freelance communications company for 15 years, then joined the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in communications. She began with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant for 2 years, followed by 16 years with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Since 2018, she has managed communications for the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

She said she feels fortunate to have been able to visit Malawi in 2022 and 2026. 

"Visiting the villages who received new water boreholes last year was so meaningful. The people were filled with such joy and told us stories about how having water closer to their home made a difference in their lives."  

Lenny Banovez is in charge of grant writing and fund raising for SWRG.  He has an extensive background specializing in work with not-for-profit organizations in a variety of sectors. 

Past organizations he has worked with include Autism Speaks, Walk MS, The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and the Devos Foundation. 

A former actor and producer from New York City, he has helped consult secure funding for various theatrical organizations across the country, as well as served as artistic director for two 501c3 theatre companies.