Strengthening Community-Based Management at Mazinga Water Point
Why Community-Based Management Matters
Access to safe and reliable water is essential for improving the quality of life in any community. However, the provision of water infrastructure alone is not enough. For water systems to deliver long-term benefits, communities must be actively involved in how these facilities are managed, maintained, and protected.
Community-Based Management recognizes that sustainability depends on local ownership. When communities have the knowledge, skills, and responsibility to care for their water points, these systems are more likely to remain functional, transparent, and equitably used. CBM therefore represents an important additional step, ensuring that water infrastructure is not only installed, but also well cared for over time.
For Mazinga, this training goes beyond technical skills; it is about ownership, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
About the Mazinga Water Point Committee Training
The training brings together members of the Mazinga Water Point Committee, which is made up of 10 members, 70% of whom are women. This strong representation of women reflects the reality that water challenges are also gender challenges.
Why Women’s Leadership Matters
In many households, the responsibility of fetching water falls largely on women and girls. When water points break down or safe water is unavailable, women and girls are often the most affected. They may be forced to walk long distances, sometimes before sunrise, in search of water. For girls, this can mean arriving late to school or missing school altogether.
By ensuring women play a central role in water point management, the Mazinga committee is better positioned to respond to these challenges with solutions that reflect lived realities and community needs.
Through participatory CBM sessions, committee members are strengthening their capacity to manage the water point effectively and respond promptly to emerging challenges.
Key Focus Areas of the Training
The training focuses on strengthening the committee’s capacity to manage the water point effectively by clarifying roles and responsibilities, building skills in operation and maintenance, improving transparent financial management, and enhancing leadership and governance. It also emphasizes good hygiene and water safety practices while promoting strong community engagement to encourage shared responsibility for the borehole.
One committee member, Kambani Tembo shared their experience, saying:
“I have learnt about keeping hygiene at the borehole and how to fix minor repairs on a borehole.”
We believe the outcomes of this training will directly contribute to improved water point functionality and reduced downtime. This means more consistent access to safe water for households that rely on the Mazinga borehole every day.
Looking Ahead
The Community-Based Management training is a foundational step toward long-term water security in Mazinga. With a trained, inclusive, and committed committee in place, the community is better equipped to safeguard its borehole for both current users and future generations.
We are proud to work alongside the Mazinga Water Point Committee and look forward to seeing the positive impact of strong community leadership in action.
