--- title: ‘Miracle Borehole’ Saves Lives description: “World Vision never gave up on us. We prayed together for a successful borehole. We were filled with joy and named it ‘Miracle Borehole,” says Memory Haadenda, 47 image: https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/Borehole%201.jpg --- [![Philanthropy logo](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/home%20/Philanthropy%20logo.svg)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org) [![stories_header](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sub%20pages/stories_header.jpg?width=2000&name=stories_header.jpg "stories_header")](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [Zambia](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/zambia) [Water](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/water) [Impact Stories](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/impact-stories) [Women and Girls](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/women-and-girls) # ‘Miracle Borehole’ Saves Lives Written by [Collins Kaumba](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/author/collins-kaumba) on Jul 10, 2020 12:00:00 PM ![Borehole 1](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Borehole%201.jpg?width=300&name=Borehole%201.jpg) Just after 5 a.m. in the Mweebo community in southern Zambia, Nelly Mulavu began her lonely trek through the middle of thick bush to fetch water from the only stream in area. This was her first daily morning chore. Suddenly, a strange man appeared from the bush, a few meters away from where she was standing. “The man looked suspicious,” says Nelly later. “My heart froze in fear. I wondered if the man could be up to something, knowing deep down in my heart what had happened to several other women in the past.” Almost immediately he grabbed her, and a serious battle ensued between the two. “He dragged me into the bush with all his strength. He pressed me to the ground a few meters away and began to pull off my clothes; I realized his quest was to rape me,” Nelly, who was 49 at the time, explains with vigor. “I realized I was in danger and helpless, so I gathered strength from nowhere, picked a piece of dead wood close to me and hit his head hard.” Nelly adds, “I hit him so hard that he speedily fled holding his forehead as I loudly shouted for help. I remained there trembling [so much] in fear that I could not move a step until people arrived at the scene to help me.” ![Borehole 2](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Borehole%202.jpg?width=200&name=Borehole%202.jpg)Nelly is just one of many women and girls who have experienced such attacks when fetching water, due to the distance and isolation of their long treks, and she is lucky to have overpowered the attacker. In addition to worrying about personal harm, families in this community have other health factors to deal with. “Dysentery hit many households as a result of drinking dirty water. My neighbor’s entire household – all four: two parents and two children – died because of dysentery,” Nelly recalls. Women and children bore the consequences of the lack of a close, clean water source. “We had little time to cook for our children. They could only eat once, just like the adults. The water need was more important than children,” says Nelly, who has six girls and one boy. Children lacked proper nutrition and missed school, falling behind. Things changed dramatically once World Vision established a new borehole. “World Vision never gave up on us. We prayed together for a successful borehole. We were filled with joy and named it ‘Miracle Borehole,” says Memory Haadenda, 47, who now is the hygiene and sanitation educator and caretaker for the borehole they believe came directly from God. Today, the borehole has restored people’s lives. Children are focused on school, and dysentery and malnutrition are only memories. The borehole is also providing water for gardening. “Now, my daily fears are no more. I am happy, and my focus is to be productive,” says Nelly. ### RECENT STORIES [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/D395-0940-093.jpg) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/breaking-the-cycle-building-a-future) #### [Breaking the cycle, building a future](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/breaking-the-cycle-building-a-future) Jul 6, 2026 8:16:56 AM [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/stories/D140-0219-089.jpg) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/when-health-clinics-run-out-of-water-this-happens) #### [WHEN HEALTH CLINICS RUN OUT OF WATER … THIS HAPPENS.](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/when-health-clinics-run-out-of-water-this-happens) May 21, 2026 11:08:27 AM [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/D200-1326-136.jpg) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/the-cost-of-child-marriage) #### [The cost of child marriage](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/the-cost-of-child-marriage) Apr 30, 2026 6:00:02 AM [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/Everlyne%20washes%20her%20school%20uniform%20after%20her%20treacherous%20walk%20for%20contaminated%20water..jpg) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/access-to-clean-water-means-a-brighter-future) #### [Access to clean water means a brighter future](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/access-to-clean-water-means-a-brighter-future) Jan 30, 2026 6:00:00 AM [![](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/edgar-sitting.jpg) ](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/a-very-different-wish-list) #### [A very different wish list](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/a-very-different-wish-list) Dec 3, 2025 7:00:00 AM ### Posts by Tag - [Impact Stories (166)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/impact-stories) - [Economic Empowerment (76)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/economic-empowerment) - [Water (70)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/water) - [Child Protection (52)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/child-protection) - [International Day (51)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/international-day) - [Women and Girls (47)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/women-and-girls) - [NLC (41)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/nlc) - [World Changers (39)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/world-changers) - [Zambia (36)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/zambia) - [Kenya (33)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/kenya) - [Emergency Response (30)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/emergency-response) - [Honduras (30)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/honduras) - [Christian Discipleship (28)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/christian-discipleship) - [Health (28)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/health) - [COVID-19 (27)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/covid-19) - [THRIVE (26)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/thrive) - [Rwanda (23)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/rwanda) - [Education (18)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/education) - [Bangladesh (16)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/bangladesh) - [Ethiopia (14)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/ethiopia) - [Malawi (14)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/malawi) - [Clean Water (10)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/clean-water) - [Mother and Child Health (10)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/mother-and-child-health) - [India (9)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/india) - [News (9)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/news) - [Tanzania (9)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/tanzania) - [Uganda (9)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/uganda) - [Refugee Crisis (8)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/refugee-crisis) - [FMNR (7)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/fmnr) - [Extreme Poverty (6)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/extreme-poverty) - [Rich Stearns (6)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/rich-stearns) - [Syria (6)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/syria) - [Africa (5)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/africa) - [Christmas (5)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/christmas) - [Devotional (5)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/devotional) - [FGM (5)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/fgm) - [Innovation (4)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/innovation) - [South Sudan (4)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/south-sudan) - [Child Marriage (3)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/child-marriage) - [Gender Equality (3)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/gender-equality) - [Personal Narrative (3)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/personal-narrative) - [US (3)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/us) - [VisionFund (3)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/visionfund) - [World Vision Fund (3)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/world-vision-fund) - [Afghanistan (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/afghanistan) - [East Africa Children's Crisis (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/east-africa-childrens-crisis) - [El Salvador (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/el-salvador) - [Giving Tuesday (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/giving-tuesday) - [Haiti (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/haiti) - [Kenya Big Dream (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/kenya-big-dream) - [Somalia (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/somalia) - [Sudan (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/sudan) - [Teaching (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/teaching) - [Venezuela (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/venezuela) - [World Water Day (2)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/world-water-day) - [2023 (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/2023) - [Big Dream to End Child Marriage (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/big-dream-to-end-child-marriage) - [Brazil (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/brazil) - [Day of the Girl (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/day-of-the-girl) - [Earth Day (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/earth-day) - [Edgar Sandoval (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/edgar-sandoval) - [Family (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/family) - [GIK (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/gik) - [International Women's Day (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/international-womens-day) - [Jordan (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/jordan) - [Lebanon (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/lebanon) - [Lesotho (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/lesotho) - [Mali (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/mali) - [Mother's Day (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/mothers-day) - [Mozambique (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/mozambique) - [Myanmar (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/myanmar) - [Niger (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/niger) - [Philippines (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/philippines) - [Prayer (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/prayer) - [Puerto Rico (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/puerto-rico) - [Strong Women Strong World (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/strong-women-strong-world) - [Ukraine (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/ukraine) - [Visionaries (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/visionaries) - [WASH (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/wash) - [World Refugee Day (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/world-refugee-day) - [global health fund (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/global-health-fund) - [global water (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/global-water) - [hunger (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/hunger) - [sponsorship (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/sponsorship) - [world food day (1)](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/topic/world-food-day) [See all](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/miracle-borehole-saves-lives#) [![facebook](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/worldvision) [![youtube](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/youtube.svg)](https://vimeo.com/worldvisionus)[![instagram](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/WorldVisionUSA)   [![2025-financial](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/home%20/2025-financial.png?width=300&height=113&name=2025-financial.png)](https://www.worldvision.org/about-us/financial-accountability-2) We are proud to be reviewed and held accountable by these independent third-party organizations: [![charity navigator logo](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Ratings_BLK_4star_Charity%20Navigator.png?width=48&height=48&name=Ratings_BLK_4star_Charity%20Navigator.png)](https://www.charitynavigator.org/)[![bbb_logo](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/icons_and_logos/bbb_logo.jpg?width=33&height=45&name=bbb_logo.jpg)](https://www.bbb.org/)[![ecfa_logo](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/icons_and_logos/ecfa_logo.png?width=37&height=41&name=ecfa_logo.png)](https://www.ecfa.org/)[![guide star](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hubfs/guidestar-seal.svg)](https://www.guidestar.org/)[![charitywatch](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/hs-fs/hubfs/icons_and_logos/charitywatch.png?width=51&height=40&name=charitywatch.png)](https://www.charitywatch.org/)     World Vision Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. [All donations are tax deductible in full or in part.](https://www.worldvision.org/donating-to-world-vision) [Security](https://www.worldvision.org/security)[ | Privacy Policy](https://www.worldvision.org/privacy-policy)[ | Terms of Use](https://www.worldvision.org/terms-of-use) © 2026 World Vision, Inc. All rights reserved. [[fa icon="chevron-up"] Back to top](https://www.worldvisionphilanthropy.org/news/miracle-borehole-saves-lives#)