Climate Action Malawi Project #25369

Water for All: pedal pumps and wells for families

by ALEIMAR - Voluntary Organization

Water for All: pedal pumps and wells for families

Project Report | Dec 9, 2025
Water Is Life: Bringing Irrigation, Knowledge and Opportunity to Farmers

By Elisa Cappai | Project Leader

Pedal pump

Dear Donors,
at the end of October, the Aleimar team traveled to Malawi for the annual monitoring visit. This mission was essential not only to assess the progress of our activities, but also to observe firsthand several challenges affecting the local context. Across the country, there is currently an almost total shortage of diesel and petrol. This problem stems largely from the geopolitical situation and logistical disruptions along the main supply route passing through Tanzania, where significant tensions have emerged following the recent elections. The fuel crisis is slowing down economic and agricultural activities and affecting the daily lives of many families.

From 18 to 22 August, an agricultural training session was held for 18 farmers from the villages surrounding Namwera, in the Mangochi district. The training, delivered by two agronomists from the Ministry of Agriculture, combined theoretical lessons with practical field demonstrations. The following topics were addressed: site selection for irrigation and related methods, irrigation planning and water resource management, recommended specific crops, and techniques for crop arrangement. At the end of the training, each participant received support to develop a personalized work plan for their farming activities. In early September, every farmer received a treadle pump, seeds, and fertilizers to enhance their crop production.

A significant achievement of this training was the agreement reached among the farmers: thanks to the provided tools and newly acquired skills, agricultural production is expected to increase, and part of the harvest will be donated to our local partner, Tiyende Pamodzi Group CBO. These contributions will be used to prepare supplemental meals for children with disabilities during physiotherapy sessions - the core activity of the group.

During our monitoring visit, we met the farmers who received the pedal pumps and took part in the training, and we conducted evaluation surveys. The beneficiaries expressed strong satisfaction with the program and reported learning new techniques to maximize their yields. Here are some of their reflections:

“The training was clear and very well delivered. Thank you. With this project, not only I benefit, but also the community, which sees my example. Please keep supporting us.”

“I am happy; the training was well designed and the trainers were very skilled. However, I hope the training can be repeated. We are now putting into practice what we learned, but I would like to understand how to act if something does not go as expected.”

Your support allows us to strengthen livelihoods, nourish children, and bring reliable access to water where it is needed most. Together, we are helping communities build a more stable, sustainable future filled with opportunity.

Irrigating the crop

Crops

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Aug 6, 2025
A Future That Grows: Pedal Pumps and Practical Skills for Food Security

By Elisa Cappai | Junior Project Manager

Dear Donors,
Our commitment to the families and children in the villages surrounding Mangochi, in southern Malawi, remains steadfast. In a region where agriculture is often the only source of livelihood, we continue to work to provide families with the tools and knowledge they need to build a more secure and sustainable future.

In collaboration with our local partner, the CBO Tiyende Pamodzi Group, we are happy to announce that in August, we will distribute 18 new pedal pumps to 18 farmers.These pumps are vital tools designed for small-scale irrigation: they operate through a simple mechanism powered by the user’s physical effort and are ideal for rural areas where access to electricity or fuel is limited.

The pedal pumps allow water to be drawn from nearby sources – such as wells, rivers, or lakes – and efficiently directed to the fields. This significantly reduces the burden of manual water carrying and makes it possible to irrigate crops even during the dry season, when water scarcity is a major obstacle to food security.

The distribution of pedal pumps will be preceded by five days of theoretical and practical training: farmers will be divided into groups and will attend a course in which two agronomists will introduce innovative, environmentally friendly agricultural techniques capable of increasing land productivity. The theory will be complemented by practical field demonstrations dedicated to the proper use of seeds and fertilizers and pedal pump maintenance. The goal of this initiative is twofold: to increase agricultural productivity and to strengthen the resilience of families in the face of climate change and economic uncertainty.

Of course, there is still much to be done. Many families are waiting for the opportunity to improve their land and ensure regular harvests throughout the year. For this reason, your support is more crucial than ever.

Together, we can help farmers in Mangochi lift themselves out of poverty, ensure better nutrition for their children, and build a future rooted in dignity and opportunity.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

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Mar 31, 2025
Rebuilding Hope After Cyclone Jude

By Elena Galli | Junior Project Manager

Pedal pump

Dear friends,

with this report, we would like to update you on the latest developments in our project to improve access to clean water and ensure food security in the Mangochi district of Malawi.

Unfortunately, Cyclone Jude recently struck southern Malawi, causing severe damage. Our local representative, Father Joseph Kimu writes:

“Cyclone Jude has destroyed many properties in the southern districts of Malawi, including our district of Mangochi. Schools in theregion have been closed for the entire week. Fortunately, no lives have been lost so far.Please keep our people in your prayers as they endure yet another natural disaster, bringing immense suffering.”

Thankfully, our projects have not suffered major damage, but this emergency reminds us of how crucial it is to continue ensuring access to water and strengthening the resilience of local communities.

Access to water remains a major challenge. The scarcity of clean water and the inability to irrigate fields contribute to widespread malnutrition. However, pedal pumps have already proven to be a game-changer, allowing families to cultivate multiple harvests per year, increasing the availability of maize and vegetables for both consumption and sale. Fertilizers further enhance soil fertility, leading to improved agricultural yields and better food security.

The need for wells and pedal pumps remains high: dozens of villages still lack access to clean water, and many families struggle to provide food for their children. Every donation is a drop of hope that transforms into water, nourishment, and life for entire communities.

Now more than ever, we need your support. Join us in building new wells and distributing more pedal pumps. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Donating means giving a family the chance to cultivate their future, a child the security of a daily meal, and a village the hope of a more dignified life. With your help, we can bring water, food, and health where they are needed most.

Be part of the change: your support is the key to a better tomorrow.

Thank you for standing by our side in this mission.

Pedal pump

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