Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe — For women in Ward 17 of Chiredzi District, access to a new borehole means more than having water closer to home. It means relief from relying on unsafe water sources and renewed hope for better livelihoods.

The borehole was recently commissioned under the Access to Inclusive Gender and Climate Justice for Vulnerable Women and Persons with Disabilities project, with funding from We Effect. It is the fifth borehole established in Chiredzi District since 2023 through the project.

“We are very relieved to finally have a safe source of water. We used to fetch water from an unsafe source, and we were always worried about the health of our families. This borehole has brought us relief and gives us hope for a better future.”
— Woman from Ward 17 community

Beyond meeting household water needs, the new water point will support the establishment of a community garden, creating opportunities for vulnerable women and women with disabilities to grow food, generate income and strengthen their household livelihoods.

To help ensure the water point remains functional and community-owned, a Water Point Committee was trained with support from the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA). The committee will play a key role in managing and maintaining the borehole.

The Ward 17 investment demonstrates how access to water can unlock wider opportunities for dignity, inclusion, food security and climate-resilient livelihoods. As the community begins using the new water point, the borehole represents not only a reliable source of safe water, but also a foundation for greater opportunity and resilience.