Clean Water Transforming Children’s Lives in a Mozambique Community Center

When Francisco Mahanuque founded the New Hope Children Centre (Centro da Crianca Nova Esperanca) in 2012, his goal was to help one more child avoid the daily struggles he faced as a former street child. The center became a safe place where orphaned and vulnerable children could learn, grow, and be protected, with the opportunity for a better life.

The New Hope Centre is located in Katembe, on the outskirts of Maputo, Mozambique’s capital and largest city. According to Francisco, the center is more than an orphanage, having benefited more than 90 children through meals, education, and childcare.

“The center is not just an orphanage; it is a day activity center to protect children from exploitation and begging in the streets. It provides a safe space for children to develop both cognitive and interpersonal skills, while having access to at least one meal a day,” said Francisco.

Besides providing meals and education for the children, the center helps to protect children from child marriage, educating them about unwanted pregnancies, and advocating for children’s rights.

The Water Scarcity Challenge at the Community Center

One of the center’s most significant challenges was the insufficient water supply

Initially, the center relied on a public water network that provided water only three to four days a week for about two hours per day. To ensure sufficient water for the entire week, the children would fetch water in several buckets, store it, and use it sparingly.

“The water scarcity severely affected hygiene, nutrition, and daily routines at the center, making it challenging to provide care and dignity for the children,” said Francisco.

The solution was to improve children’s access to water by installing a fully equipped borehole.

Installation of a Fully Equipped Borehole
In 2023, during an informal visit by Ricardo Pereira, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund’s (AECF) senior Programme manager, Francisco, inquired about AECF’s work and the possibility of supporting the drilling and equipping of a borehole to provide children with sustainable access to water. After completing background checks, assessing funding availability, and evaluating project viability, AECF approved the project under the condition that matching funds would cover half of the project costs.

Furos de Água, Lda. conducted a hydrogeological survey that revealed groundwater at 45 meters below ground level. This information guided the mobilization and helped estimate the project cost at USD 2,000 (126,500 MZN). With this budget, AECF contributed USD 1,000 (63,225 MZN), representing half of the project cost. The other half was secured through matching funds from the Carona Family, which supports the center.

After the preliminary procedures and borehole drilling, Furos de Agua Lda reinforced the borehole with casing and assessed water quality through test pumping. Next, the borehole was fitted with the required water pipes, a pump, and a sealed slab was installed at the headworks to ensure safe, continuous use. Blue Zone, an authorized distributor of Grundfos and DAB pumps in Mozambique, donated the water piping and pump equipment.

The Water Transformation
Today, the center receives a steady water supply sufficient to serve 25 children (14 boys and 11 girls) who attend daily, as well as many others from the surrounding community. The children access water from multiple taps around the center, including the bathrooms and kitchen.

“The difference has been life changing. The children can now bathe regularly, wear clean clothes, and live in a healthier environment. In addition, the center uses the water to irrigate its kitchen gardens, which helps feed the children,” said Francisco.
Water Access to the Community
The borehole’s impact has extended far beyond the center’s walls. Approximately 50 households benefit directly or indirectly from the transformative project. During water shortages, local families visit the center to fetch water or allow their children to bathe and wash clothes there.

“Your support has been a blessing. The borehole has brought life, health, and joy not only to our children but to our entire community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who believed in our work and made this transformation possible,” said Francisco.

About the AECF
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a leading non-profit development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors, aiming to reduce rural poverty, promote resilient communities, and create jobs.
For more information, visit: www.aecfafrica.org