Mwandida Mayeni has lived most of her life in Manja Village, nestled under Group Village Head Manja in TA Mposa. Like many in her community, she knows the rhythm of the seasons, the joy of the first rains, and the creeping dread when the waters don’t stop.
Her home has seen its fair share of floods, especially in recent years. Climate change has made storms more intense and frequent, turning once-predictable weather patterns into a source of anxiety and disruption.
“The worst part is not just the water,” Mwandida says, her voice steady but tinged with memory. “It’s the waiting. The fear. The uncertainty. When the floods come, everything stops, school, farming, even access to clean water.”
As secretary of the local water point committee, Mwandida knows just how critical access to safe water is, especially during emergencies. The borehole her community depends on isn’t new, but for years it has been vulnerable to the floods. During heavy rains or cyclones, it would be submerged, cutting off access when it was needed most and raising the risk of contamination.
That changed in May 2025. With support from Trocaire through the Irish Aid Civil Society Programme (ICSP), BASEflow returned to Manja Village—not just to fix the aging borehole, but to reimagine it. The result was a transformation: new parts installed, protective civil works completed, and the entire structure elevated high above flood levels.
A newly elevated handpump (Manja Borehole)
“It’s like they built a borehole on stilts,” Mwandida says with a laugh, proudly admiring the towering structure. “It’s strong, clean, and most importantly, it’s safe.”
Before the upgrade, floods often forced residents to walk long distances in search of clean drinking water. The borehole would vanish under murky floodwaters, and once the waters receded, thick mud left the area unusable for days.
“Now,” she says, “we feel secure. Even if a cyclone hits, even if the water rises like before, we know this borehole will still be standing. We won’t have to run to other villages or clean for hours just to get a bucket of water. It’s right here. Ready.”
The new design is more than just practical, it’s a lifeline. Elevated and flood-resistant, it represents a shift in how vulnerable communities are being equipped to adapt to the climate crisis. And for Mwandida, it offers more than just water, it offers peace of mind.
Mwandida accessing water from flood-proofed borehole
“We even joke,” she chuckles, “that if things get really bad, maybe we can climb up and take shelter on the borehole itself.”
Her smile softens. “We are just very thankful. BASEflow and Trocaire heard us. They saw our struggle, and they did something. That’s something we’ll never forget.”
Mwandida hopes the transformation in Manja can be replicated in other communities facing similar threats. “We’re not alone,” she says. “There are others who still wait for water after the storm. They deserve this too.”
In a world where the climate is changing faster than many communities can keep up, what’s happened in Manja isn’t just a response—it’s a promise. A promise that no one should ever have to choose between safety and water.
Thanks to BASEflow and Trocaire, that promise now stands tall—above the floods, and firmly in the hands of the people who need it most.