2026-09-02 - August Progress Report from VIP

Two more hydro surveys have been done, and two more wells have been drilled--this time, with success! Read more in VIP's August progress report. Makaluni's re-drill produced a borehole that is yielding 0.8 liters per second, well above the 0.25 lps Government-mandated minimum. The borehole for Nsenda (the village that replaced Maulana in the project) is also successful, yielding 0.30 lps.

The next step is water quality testing for each of the successful boreholes.

2026-09-01 - The Rotary Foundation has released our grant funds!

All contingencies have been met.

2026-08-20 - Grant funding is complete

The grant budget has been met! Donations are complete from all clubs, orgs, and individuals. Next step: Submit the paperwork to TRF for release of funds to the dedicated grant account.

2026-08-19 - Borehole Progress Report from VIP

Drilling has been done in five villages! See the VIP's June progress report. Three of five wells drilled are "wet"--yielding water at a sufficient and sustainable level. One is, I guess you could say, "damp"; it's yielding water, but not enough. Unfortunately, the Maulana borehole is dry, in spite of the highly favorable survey results.

VIP is proceeding to re-survey the Makaluni vicinity that has the "damp" hole. If the survey does not look promising, VIP will move on to a backup village, Phondiya, that they have identified as a candidate (they initially did Participatory Rural Appraisals and pre-drilling surveys for eight villages, in part to cover just such an eventuality).

As for the dry hole: VIP plans to do a hydro survey at Nsenda, another of the candidate villages, and if the results are good they will drill there.

2026-08-19 - Pre-Drilling Household Survey Report received from VIP

In early June, VIP conducted a Pre-Drilling Household Survey Report. This preliminary report focused on which locations are ideal for drilling based on population demand. Recognizing that drilling success cannot be guaranteed at every site, the survey expanded the household survey to include three further villages besides the five villages in the core implementation set: Mwandama, Nsenda, and Pondiya.

2026-08-14 - Wells are being drilled! Report from Maliwata

Rich Daesener, VIP's Director of Strategic Partnerships, shared about the completion of a well we are sponsoring in Maliwata.

Maliwata Handover Ceremony

2026-08-06 - Water survey results received from VIP; contingency lifted

VIP has delivered the geophysical hydro survey results, showing promise for all five villages. Accordingly, TRF has removed the corresponding contingency for release of funds.

2026-07-23 - Moving forward with water surveys

Villages in Partnership, in coordination with the Blantyre club, is now moving forward with hydrogeographical (water) surveys for the villages identified in the community survey.

2026-06-04 - Friday - Harry is back from Malawi

Much more on this later, but it was a wonderfully successful trip in all regards. Thanks to all donors who have already sent in their pledges! A reminder to those still to give: The Rotary Foundation will not release ANY of the funds for the project until ALL the pledges are in. See How To Give Your Pledge, or contact Chris at rotary@walquist.net.

2026-05-30 - Visiting Manduwasa and Nkagula villages

Visit to Manduwasa and Nkagula villages

2026-05-29 - Pics from Harry in Malawi

Harry writes...

Tomorrow morning we meet Blantyre Rotary Club members in a village that will receive a new borehole. VIP will be mapping out various areas of support with the chief and village leaders.

Later in the day we will visit a village with one of our wells. I'll get some videos.

Peace, Harry

Borehole with drainage apron

Woman at a borehole pump

Harry with VIP WASH officer Daniel

Harry McCabe, President Patricia Khomani, and President-Elect Dango Mkandawire

2026-05-26 - Harry is off to Malawi

At 4 a.m., Rotarian Harry McCabe departed with a group from the Oakbrook Christ Church on a Friendship trip to the Zomba region of Malawi. They will be meeting with Villages In Partnership staff, Blantyre Rotarians, and people from one or more of the villages we will be serving with the five wells funded by our grant.

2026-05-20 - wed - Our Grant is Approved!

Six months almost to the day from when we submitted the grant application draft on 21 November, our Regional Grant Officer at Rotary International approved our grant.

We can now proceed with the water surveys and with pledge collection.

2026-05-20 - tue - Packing for Malawi

At 5:30 p.m. a group of Rotarians and Malawi travelers met at Christ Church in Oak Brook and packed suitcases to bring along to Malawi. Toothbrushes, hair picks, toothpaste, hand towels, soccer balls...there's a lot of stuff!

Rotarian Harry McCabe will be leaving for Malawi next Tuesday.

Packing for Malawi