“ Another thing that I also want to mention is that, before the borehole was provided to us, men were also going to Dwangwa sometimes to draw water, but now we are free again as men. We don’ t worry about going to fetch water anymore.”
— Jonasi community members
“ Before the Sonder project, finding water was very difficult. We used to walk very long distances, sometimes over an hour, to fetch water from rivers or shallow wells that were dirty and unsafe. Now, with the borehole, it only takes about 20 minutes for most of us. The water is clean and safe, and we don’ t fall sick like we used to. The quality of water has greatly improved. Before Sonder, we had no proper water management system. Now the community is more organised, we have rules, and everyone respects the borehole. If someone damages it, they are responsible for fixing it. This has improved our sense of ownership. There are big social changes. Children used to go late to school or miss it because they had to fetch water from far [ away ]. Now, with water nearby, they go [ to school ] clean and on time. Even the men now wear clean clothes more often. It has brought dignity to our homes.”
— Chimpako community members
“ Before The Sonder Project, we were drinking and using water from wells. The same wells were also a drinking point of domestic animals such as pigs and goats. The water from the wells was not safe for drinking but after Sonder came and helped us with the borehole, now it is all in the past.”
— Jonasi community members
4.1.7 Changes in Practices, Access, and Service Use
Respondents reported that the normalization of hygiene behaviours has contributed to improved school attendance among girls. Both school staff and parents reported observing that significantly more girls now arrive on time, a change that is reflected in attendance registers. Respondents attributed this improvement not only to better punctuality but also to the reduced burden of fetching water, which has freed up time for academic work and allowed for enhanced personal hygiene.
Furthermore, a substantial group of WASH community participants reportedly leveraged the increased water availability for additional productive uses, both domestic and commercial. These activities included irrigating vegetable plots and establishing small businesses such as food stalls that utilize clean water to maintain hygiene and attract customers. In terms of service inclusiveness, respondents noted that water sources have become noticeably more accessible to elderly community members and PLwD due to reduced congestion and improvements in structural access. Where applicable, community members were reported to have provided improvised ramps, night lighting, and flashlights to assist vulnerable groups in accessing water safely and independently.
4.1.8 Community Desire for Further Support from The Sonder Project
Some communities that were not involved in the WASH project in the initial phase of The Sonder Project’ s WASH work questioned the lengthy process of becoming part of the project, particularly in situations where they had made sufficient effort to reach out to the district council for support. Some participants reported that they had heard about other communities where advanced WASH interventions are more prominent, bringing about comments and wishes about support related to education. As one respondent from Kawiya reported:
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