On his recent visit to Idugo, Vahid Fotuhi, founder of Blue Forest, which has just been licensed to implement a mangrove reforestation programme in Idugo and other parts of Zambezia province visited the water tower and borehole recently provided earlier this year by Blue Forest in collaboration with the Zalala Foundation.

Women and children gathered and spoke of how their lives have been transformed. They now have ample water for drinking, cooking washing and other household tasks. They no longer have to walk for hours and wait for the wells to fill as they used to have to in the past. They also are less prone to illnesses caused by waterborne diseases in the past. Schoolchildren now also have access to clean water during the school day.

A Water Committee, led by women, has been established and the Zalala Foundation has provided training to assist in the management of this vital water source and to ensure it is well maintained. A small amount is paid into a fund that is used to maintain and undertake minor repairs, thereby enhancing the sense of ownership and responsibility among users of this valuable resources.