Memory lives on one of Malawi’s 11 million small-scale farms, 89% of which have no access to irrigation. But, since she bought an irrigation pump, her family is no longer dependent on unpredictable rainfall and her crop yields have more than doubled. Now she can look forward to two harvests each year and she has already recouped the cost of buying the pump from her first additional harvest.

Maria used to be a midwife, but realised that a lack of clean water was one of the main causes of infant mortality.  Now Maria runs her own business repairing broken community water pumps and restoring clean, safe water to the mothers and children that need it most.  She also sells water filters and offers a range of other services to the other communities in her area.

Key to the success of any new business is access to a reliable and affordable supply chain. Brighton is based in Kasungu, but the low-tech household and irrigation water pumps he makes are sold by well diggers and area mechanics all over Malawi’s Central Region. As their businesses grow, his business grows and together they are creating a supply network that is financially independent of outside help or dependent on outside assistance.

Elizabeth’s nearest water pump used to be 500 metres away and she walked there six times each day, 365 days a year, just to fetch the minimum amount of water needed by her family.  But, since she bought a household pump, clean safe water is right outside her door.  Now she can keep her cooking utensils clean, her children can wash their hands whenever they need to and she is pleased to share her pump with six other families living close by.