Day of the African Child 2026
Building a Bridge to Safe Water, Sanitation, and Dignity for Malawi’s Youth
Bridging the gap through access to safe, clean water for every child and youth.
On June 16, the continent unites to celebrate the Day of the African Child (DAC). This year, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has set a critical, foundational theme: "Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Africa".
At Ulalo, we believe that children cannot reach their full potential if their basic human rights are compromised. For over a decade, our mission has been to craft pathways to success and build a bridge to a better Malawi. While we are widely recognized for advancing digital literacy and academic infrastructure across the Northern Region, our holistic approach acknowledges that a child's health, dignity, and ability to stay in school are intrinsically linked to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).
Access to clean water is every child’s right to learn, grow, and excel
Without adequate WASH facilities and reliable safe water sources in communities and schools, children, particularly adolescent youth and young girls, face immense health risks, severe school absenteeism, and interrupted futures. This is why improving sanitation services and expanding direct access to clean water are core pillars of our community operations.
Bringing Clean Water to the Heart of Communities
True health begins with access to safe water. For too long, children and families in remote rural areas have endured the hardships of traveling long distances to contaminated rivers or sharing unsafe water sources with domestic animals. To change this narrative, Ulalo actively constructs and rehabilitates vital water points.
Strengthening water sustainability through intensive training sessions for the community
Our intervention goes far beyond drilling. To guarantee that this water flows continuously for years to come, we lead comprehensive 5-day community training sessions for local Water Point Committees. By equipping community members with the skills to independently operate, manage, and maintain their local boreholes, we ensure long-term sustainability and a secure, healthy environment where children can thrive.
Combating Period Poverty through Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)
Alongside clean water infrastructure, Ulalo directly targets the gaps in local water and sanitation practices through our active Menstrual Hygiene Management program. A lack of quality sanitary materials, combined with inadequate school WASH facilities and social taboos, frequently forces adolescent girls to miss school days.
Supporting girls with reusable sanitary pads to promote consistent school attendance
Our multifaceted approach focuses on:
Empowerment & Material Support: We actively train local school mother groups and adolescent girls to produce reusable sanitary pads. In our targeted distributions, hundreds of girls across primary schools receive comprehensive reusable sanitary pad kits to ensure they remain safe, comfortable, and present in the classroom.
Breaking the Silence: Beyond physical supplies, we conduct widespread hygiene sessions and community awareness initiatives to eradicate the stigma and taboos associated with menstruation, turning it into a topic of community importance.
Joining the Nation
To mark this historic continental day, Ulalo is proud to join the Government of Malawi, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and local youth at the national commemoration event held at Matete Ground in Nkhata Bay District.
As a dedicated partner in the development of Malawi’s Northern Region, Ulalo will be actively showcasing our grassroots work on-site. Our team will exhibit our diverse interventions.
A Renewed Commitment for 2026
No child should have to choose between their education, their safety, and their health. True development means intersecting human dignity with systemic progress. As we stand together in Nkhata Bay today, Ulalo proudly renews its commitment alongside our communities, schools, and international and local partners.
Together, we will continue expanding our health, hygiene, and clean water programs until universal access to water and sanitation is a realized reality for every child in Malawi.
To learn more about our 40+ projects or to partner with us in transforming lives, explore our Programs Pageor read our latest Impact Report.