Published in December 2025

Last year, Head of Programmes for Sand Dams Worldwide (SDW), Christine Whinney, visited the Muterero community and the Chimbige community in Mozambique. Both communities are  at a different stage of their sand dam projects. Speaking with community members, the Muterero community shared their struggles with water access and their hopes and dreams for an easier future once the Muterero sand dam is completed, while the Chimbige community explained how life has changed since their sand dam was built.

Dorica Jornado, Domingo Fernando and Madaminha Araujo all wanted to see positive steps being made to reduce water scarcity in Muterero. Domingo tells us that the potential of seeing change was enough to have him volunteer to work as part of the construction team for the community’s sand dam (one of the sand dams being constructed as part of the project being supported by the Isle of Man Government):

“I was happy that Micaia Foundation (SDW’s partner in Mozambique) proposed a solution to the challenges we faced with accessing clean water and it was great that someone was showing an interest in our community. This is why I volunteered to help.”

Dorica explains what it is like having to fetch water from a nearby busy river point:

“Typically, I fill up four jerry cans in the morning and two in the afternoon. It depends how many people are at the river, but it usually takes one hour to fill the four jerry cans.”

This situation is worsened during October when there is often a period of drought and the water source dries up, making it more difficult for the community to access water from an already limited source. With reduced water, crops fail, community members suffer from poor hygiene, and they have less time to cook, clean, tend to household chores and spend time together as they must get to the water source even earlier to stand a chance of getting the water that they need. Madaminha explains her experience with this:

“Each year, when October rolls around, we begin to have serious problems with water availability which is only made worse because there is only one scoop hole for the whole community to begin with. During this period, we can easily queue for up to an hour to retrieve water (compared to the usual 20 minutes it takes with her daughter’s help). I don’t want to have to continue in this way.”

Muterero community has not yet finished building their dam, but with the knowledge Micaia has shared with the members, everyone is hopeful that good things will transpire. Dorica and Madaminha both currently grow maize and sorghum but have big hopes of diversifying their produce. Madaminha looks to the future and says:

“Once the sand dam is in use, there will be enough water to have a garden with onions, kale and tomatoes. I am excited!”

Domingo provides another positive point of view:

“My life has already changed considering this is the first project in our community that has required community volunteering. It’s encouraged me to be more active in my community and in my own development.”

Domingo Fernando from the Muterero Community in Mozambique.

Muterero community’s aspirations for consistent access to clean water is inspired by the changes experienced by the Chimbige community. Tina Muneta, from Chimbige, also recognises the September-October period being difficult before her community’s sand dam. She tells of the dangers of using scoop holes to retrieve water, and how the situation has now improved:

“Last year in September, they had to dig so deep that they had to put in a ladder to get to the bottom! Now I use the water (from the nearby sand dam) for cooking and drinking.”

Tina Muneta from the Chimbige Community in Mozambique.

Meanwhile, fellow Chimbige community member Marta Zito’s words are a testament to how quickly water problems can improve once a sand dam is built and offering a nearby source of clean water:

“I have seen a big improvement in water availability since the sand dam. Last year in October (2025), we had to dig very deep to reach any water, and we would have to stay overnight queuing and waiting for the scoop hole to fill up again with water. I remember, at that time, there was also a limit on how much water each person was allowed to collect per day, but currently there are no restrictions. This year things are looking up.”

Finally, Antonio Fernando’s story illustrates the potential transformation to come for Muterero. Antonio was one of the Chimbige sand dam builders; a builder by profession, he was selected by the community to assist with the dam because of his construction experience. He states:

“I remained with the project as I had never constructed anything other than houses before and wanted to learn other types of construction. I became very motivated when I saw the amount of water that a sand dam could store and I saw this as a way of contributing to my fellow Mozambicans, and overcoming the water challenges we all face. I very much enjoy my work and supporting my family with the sand dam.”

Antonio Fernando, Chimbige village secretary.

Antonio has now been elected as village secretary due to the recognition of his work on the sand dam project, and is seen as a role model within his community.

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