Joycelinda (left) in conversation with community member in Muganza community. Photo: Water Mission

Joycelinda Augustino serves as Water Mission’s Community Development Officer in Tanzania. In her role, Joycelinda engages community members throughout WASH projects to raise awareness and educate them on the proper use of safe water and WASH practices. One such community is Muganza in the Kasulu District of Tanzania.

Joycelinda’s focus on community engagement in Muganza—like in other communities—was critical to the success of safe water project. Community involvement in projects through labor and financial contributions foster a sense of ownership, which produces better results. Water Mission has found that engaging communities—and especially women—in the co-design and co-production process leads to wider community acceptance of WASH interventions and greater positive change. This is why Joycelinda spends so much time intentionally working to educate and build relationships with community members.

Joycelinda (left) with her colleague Yosia (centre) and the local system operator in Muganza (right). Photo: Water Mission

Having convenient and affordable access to safe water within a community has a ripple effect of impact on the men, women, and children who live there. Not only does safe water improve health, but it also reduces risks for women and girls and creates opportunities for education and livelihoods. To maintain these benefits in Muganza over time, it is critical to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the safe water system so that the community can manage the project independently, including the maintenance and repair. The Safe Water Committee (SWC) plays an active role in managing the water system following project implementation. The SWC is trained to set prices, manage revenue collection, handle project expenses, and address issues that arise. In Muganzato a local water supply and sanitation authority, which now manages all aspects of the safe water system, including payment, technical issues, and customer meter readings.

When Joycelinda spoke with children in Muganza about the challenges they faced before the project was completed, they shared about risks posed by wild animals like hyenas and snakes on the long walk to search for water. Ntonia, a 14-year-old girl, shared that young men often harassed girls on their way to or from the water source. She added that if there was a long queue at the source, they could spend three to four hours waiting, causing them to miss classes since half of the school day would be over by the time they returned.

Ntonia and her classmates no longer have to face these daily challenges. The safe water system in Muganza serves the entire community of more than 12,000 people, including schools. The ongoing operation and maintenance of the water project ensures that people in Muganza continue to reap the benefits of safe water for years to come.

Content provided by Water Mission.