(ANS – Igawa) – Salesian missionaries at Don Bosco Igawa Parish in Tanzania now have access to fresh, clean water for their community thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding was part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative” and was implemented to address chronic water scarcity affecting Igawa village and surrounding rural communities in the Mbeya Region.

With the new water access, more than 10,000 people now have clean water, reducing the time spent collecting it—especially for women and children. Hygiene and school attendance have improved, and waterborne illnesses have decreased in the village.

People in the area rely on subsistence farming and small livestock. Before the intervention, residents depended on distant, seasonal, and often unsafe water sources such as shallow wells and seasonal streams, exposing families to waterborne diseases and long daily travel times to collect water.

With the funding, the Salesians were able to conduct professional hydrogeological and geophysical surveys to identify a viable and sustainable aquifer. Once it was located and all permits were secured, drilling for a deep borehole was completed, including casing, gravel packing, and sanitary sealing. The funding also provided for the installation of an electric-powered submersible pump, a 5,000-liter (approximately 1,320-gallon) water storage tank, and distribution points for community access.

Mariana Mtawa, a resident, said, “Before the borehole was drilled, my children and I used to wake up very early to look for water. Sometimes we walked more than two hours, and even then, the water we found was not clean. During the dry season, it was very difficult, and my children would miss school because they were tired or sick. When drilling started, we were worried because we had heard the rocks were very hard, and the first machine failed. We prayed that the work would not stop. When water was finally reached, the whole village celebrated.”

Mtawa added, “Now we have water every day near the parish. My children are healthier, they go to school on time, and I can use the extra time to work on my farm. Even though the tank is still small, we are very grateful, and we hope a larger tank will come soon. This water has changed our lives.”

In Tanzania, 67.9% of the population lives below the poverty line. While the country has seen some economic growth in tourism, mining, trade, and communications, the number of Tanzanians living below the poverty line has slightly increased due to rapid population growth. In some regions, up to half of the population struggles to afford essential needs such as food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.