Case Story: Borehole for the Kimiteto Community in Solwezi, Zambia

Sector: Water

Project: Boreholes construction

Location: Solwezi, Zambia

On 24th February 2025, the parish community of St. John in Kimiteto, in the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi, Zambia, came together in celebration. A new borehole was officially blessed, commissioned, and handed over to the family of Mr. Jean Marie Matalayi and the wider community, a life-changing gift made possible through the generosity of the Farrugia family in Malta and facilitated by Missio Malta.

For many years, families in the area struggled with access to clean and safe water. Women and children often had to walk long distances to fetch water, taking time away from school, work, and family life. Now, thanks to this borehole, they have clean water at their doorstep — a basic necessity that will transform daily life.

Before drilling could begin, the project required approval from both local authorities and Church leaders. On 7th August 2024, the traditional leadership of Kimiteto, together with Caritas Solwezi, welcomed the initiative. They recognised it as a progressive step that would ease the burden on families, especially women and children. Bishop Charles J.S. Kasonde of Solwezi also gave his blessing for the borehole to proceed.

Drilling began on 28th December 2024 and within five hours, clean water flowed. The borehole was then fitted with a pump and completed in early 2025. Community members, together with Caritas Solwezi, also formed a maintenance committee to ensure the borehole’s sustainability, committing to keeping the area clean and attending to repairs if needed.

Finally, on 24th February 2025, the borehole was blessed by Fr. Wilbroad Musonda and handed over to the Matalayi family and the surrounding community by Caritas Solwezi Director, Fr. Noel Haaninga. The event was filled with joy, marked by song, ululation, and gratitude. It was also broadcast live on diocesan radio, so the wider community could share in the celebration.

Speaking at the event, Fr. Haaninga highlighted the importance of the project:

“We thank God for people who are far away, yet help those they do not know. We thank God for their kindness and generosity. We believe access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and we are committed to ensuring everyone in the community can benefit from this borehole.”

Local residents echoed this joy. One beneficiary, Esther Kyapa, shared how the new borehole would impact her daily life:

“The borehole is now near and within reach. It will save us women and children so much time and energy.”

This borehole is just one of many projects Missio Malta supports around the world. As the Maltese branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Missio brings hope to communities in over 160 countries, supporting projects in schools, clinics, parishes, and villages in more than 1,100 dioceses across five continents.

Through the kindness of donors like the Farrugia family, Missio continues to provide both practical and spiritual support, bringing life, dignity, and faith to communities most in need. For the people of St. John Parish in Zambia, the new borehole is more than just a water source. It is a symbol of love, generosity, and global solidarity, a reminder that even across great distances, hearts can be connected through compassion.

If you’d like to be part of this mission and help us reach more communities like the Kimiteto Community, you can do so by donating here: https://missio.org.mt/donate