Official MoU Signed with Zomba District Council, Malawi
MoU Signing Ceremony
On June 11, 2025, Heart to Heart Foundation officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zomba District Council in Malawi.
The MoU was formally signed by Mrs. Hu Jeong Moon, Director of International Development at Heart to Heart Foundation,
and Mrs. Reinghard Chavula, District Commissioner of Zomba.
Through this MoU, Heart to Heart Foundation and the Zomba District Council have agreed to establish a cooperative framework
and provide mutual support to ensure the smooth implementation of the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects within Zomba District, Malawi.
Group Village Heads Collaborating to Develop a Latrine Model
Community Members Participating in PHAST Activities
“Clean Water and Sanitation as a Basic Right for All”
Heart to Heart Foundation, with the support of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), a Korean Official Development Assistance (ODA) agency,
is implementing a three-year integrated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) project in the Mbiza area of Zomba District, Malawi,
aiming to prevent waterborne diseases and improve sanitation and hygiene conditions.
● Project Period: March 2025 – December 2027
● Target Area: Mbiza area (19,430 households, approximately 82,997 people)
● Key Activities:
1. Installation and improvement of water supply facilities
2. Hygiene education and provision of toilets
3. Capacity building for local government officials and residents on WASH
4. Establishment of a community-based monitoring system
Discussing Together
“A Fundamental Basis for Sustainable Field Projects”
An MoU is not merely an administrative procedure; it is an essential “official declaration of cooperation” required to effectively implement projects on the ground.
In environments like Malawi, where it is difficult for external organizations to operate independently without the approval and cooperation of local governments,
an MoU plays the following critical roles:
1. Establishing an Official Partnership with Local Government
The MoU with the Zomba District Council provides the Foundation with a legal and legitimate basis to operate within the area.
It enables collaboration with public institutions, ensuring smoother field access and building trust with the local community.
2. Enhancing Project Acceptance and Sustainability
For WASH projects, it is crucial to plan and implement activities in collaboration with local administrations, residents,
government officials, and village leaders to ensure that the projects take root in people’s daily lives.
The MoU serves as the starting point for establishing this framework for joint implementation.
3. Ensuring Accountability and Sustainability
By clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each party through the MoU, the accountability of project operations can be strengthened.
Pre-agreements on administrative procedures such as quarterly reporting, joint monitoring, and asset handover allow the project to proceed without unnecessary confusion.
Additionally, even after the Foundation’s project completion, parts of the activities can be transferred to the government, ensuring the sustainability of the project’s impact.
Group Photo after the MoU Signing Ceremony
District Commissioner Reinghard Chavula of Zomba highly appreciated and resonated with Heart to Heart Foundation’s commitment to building long-term partnerships
with the local government structure, stakeholders within the district, civil society organizations, and community members through the signing of this MoU.
She also pledged active support from the Zomba District Government and expressed her willingness to cooperate, stating,
“We hope that, based on the experiences built in Machinga District, the necessary projects will also proceed smoothly here in Zomba.”
With the cooperation of the Government of Malawi, the Malawi WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) project has now officially commenced.
Moving forward, Heart to Heart Foundation will continue to support the people of Malawi in gaining better access to clean water and improving awareness of hygiene,
thereby contributing to the enhancement of their quality of life.
Furthermore, we are committed to realizing “changes created together with local governments and communities, rather than one-sided support.”
We kindly ask for your continued interest and support in this journey!
