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In 2018, Evance Mwathunga met with the Likapa leaders to create a map of the area. They were asked to include details about what they had observed in the region in terms of where water collected in the rainy season. One detail was a low, wet area called a dambo.
From the resistivity data, the team could identify both the area of contamination from brackish lake water and a region that suggested sand with fresh water near the dambo. A target was selected, and a successful borehole was dug and a well installed. In the photo, Dulanya takes a turn pumping water from the new source.
The Covid pandemic prohibited travel from USA to Malawi for several years. However, in September 2022, Larson and Dulanya, along with Chancellor College student Chisomo Jasten, (pictured with members of the water committee) were finally able to visit Likapa together and found the borehole to be in good working order.
Update on Likapa
Update on Likapa
On December 11, 2023, Mwathunga visited Likapa Village and talked with the area mechanic who is also a member of the water point committee for the Likapa borehole (pictured left to right: Mwathunga and the mechanic). In that role, he carries out maintenance work on the borehole. This attention to maintenance demonstrates that sustained water use is a function of the committee to maintain the borehole --a direct result of the training they received.
"The borehole remains the most reliable water point in the area," Mwathunga said. "One other feature is that a large settlement has now developed around the borehole since cyclone Freddy destroyed the houses that were closer to the lake. The water point is now providing a reliable source of water to this huge population."
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