Stories

Imagine waking up every day without access to clean, safe water. For many of us, this is hard to fathom, but for countless rural communities in Malawi, it’s a daily reality. Yet, amidst this challenge, there’s a story of hope, innovation, and the unsung heroes making it all possible: area mechanics. These skilled technicians, supported by the incredible partnership between InterAide and BASEflow, are transforming lives by ensuring sustainable water access for communities in need.

Area mechanics are proving to be the backbone of rural water systems in Malawi. Trained by InterAide, these dedicated technicians specialize in maintaining and repairing handpump-fitted boreholes —lifelines for communities that rely on them for clean water. Without their expertise, these vital systems could fall into disrepair, leaving families without access to safe water.

But area mechanics don’t just fix pumps; they build trust. By visiting communities every three months, they ensure water points are functioning properly and provide affordable repairs when needed. Their work is more than technical—it’s a commitment to the health and well-being of entire communities.

And now, they’re taking it to the next level!

In 2024, InterAide and BASEflow joined forces to revolutionize the way area mechanics work in rural Malawi. InterAide’s structured approach ensures that area mechanics are assigned to specific zones, creating a reliable system of maintenance and repair. Meanwhile, BASEflow has introduced cutting-edge technology to streamline the process, making it faster, more efficient, and error-free.

The Game-Changer? mWater!

mWater, a digital data collection platform, is gradually transforming how area mechanics work. Through a one-year pilot, InterAide and BASEflow are working with 4 selected area mechanics to make the days of cumbersome paperwork and manual receipts a thing of the past. With mWater, area mechanics can now:

• Generate electronic receipts for spare parts and services.
• Track and update water point functionality during visits.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of all water points, including newly drilled ones.

This digital leap has not only saved time but also improved accuracy, ensuring that every water point is accounted for and maintained properly.

The impact of mWater on their work became evident during the initial three months of the pilot program. During this period, they received mobile phones to update the functional status of handpump-fitted boreholes within their jurisdiction. These functionality updates marked the first step in an incremental capacity development process, where new digital features are introduced as key milestones are reached, ensuring a structured and manageable learning curve. After receiving training from BASEflow on how to use the digital tool, the area mechanics quickly recognized its value. Mphatso Kambanizithe, one of the area mechanics, expressed her gratitude for the tool, highlighting its usefulness in their work:

"I am truly grateful to BASEflow for making our work easier. This innovation has allowed us to add new water point sites into mWater. Previously, we had to estimate the number of water points in our area, as some were drilled while we were away on other assignments. Now, we have an accurate picture of the total water points in our area. Another aspect I appreciate is the prospect of no longer having to write manual receipts, knowing that all receipt data is securely stored in mWater."

Her words highlight the positive impact digital technology can have on rural water supply when introduced gradually, allowing for seamless adoption and learning. By equipping these unsung heroes with the necessary tools and skills to ease their work, this initiative is ensuring that rural communities in Malawi have reliable access to clean water—a fundamental right that transforms lives.

As the initial phase of the pilot concludes, InterAide and BASEflow are excited to transition to the next stage, where even more features will be introduced to further empower the area mechanics. This next chapter promises to build on the foundation laid, enabling these technicians to enhance their efficiency. With each milestone, the initiative continues to adapt, and we look forward to seeing how this will transform the landscape of water access across rural Malawi. The journey is just beginning, and the future is encouraging.