Unwrap Freedom: Meet The Jere Family

For Moffat and Emilysia Jere, life in their community of Chimphako, Malawi, has always been shaped by water—or the lack of it. Married in 2013, Moffat and Emilysia faced relentless struggles to meet their family’s basic needs; however, all of that changed when The Sonder Project drilled a deep-water well in their community and their lives transformed.

The Jere family: Emilysia (center), Moffat (left), Yesinta (right), Justin (center left), and Trevor (center right)

 Before the well, Emilysia, 40, often spent hours collecting water from a small, polluted stream to be used for drinking, cooking, and cleaning at home. She would walk to and from the stream, navigating a steep incline, at least twice a day. “And during the dry season, I would sometimes go at midnight just to avoid competing with other women,” Emilysia explains.

Emilysia collecting water at the stream

The stream wasn’t just inconvenient—it was dangerous. Animals drank and defecated nearby, contaminating the water. The entire family, especially the children, would fall ill frequently. “We were going to the hospital at least three times a month,” says Moffat, 42. One particularly bad day in 2021, he drank unboiled water out of desperation, fell gravely ill, and had to be taken to the hospital. “I could have died,” he remembers solemnly.

Moffat, who works as a tobacco farmer, would often have to manage his crops alone because his wife was busy fetching water- limiting the family’s economic potential. And when his body was weak from sickness or poor hygiene, his productivity was even worse.  The Jere’s daily water routine was draining and stifling.

Moffat Jere tends to his tobacco with Chief Chiwinga

For their children, Yesinta (12) and Justin (7), the family’s water crisis also meant missed academic opportunities. Yesinta often delayed going to school to help her mother fetch water or because she was embarrassed to attend in dirty clothes. “It made me sad,” she says, “because I couldn’t see my friends or keep up in class.”  Justin also told us shyly, “I remember the water hurting our stomachs.”

Yesinta and Justin at their primary school

Then, in 2022, everything changed. The Sonder Project drilled a new deep-water well in Chimphako. For the first time in their lives, clean water was just steps away for the Jere family.  The first time Moffat tasted clean water, he was overcome with joy. “It was like I had never tasted water before—it was so sweet,” he says, his smile broadening.  For Emesiya, the difference was even more profound. “The first time I bathed in this water, it was like all the dirt was gone,” she says. “I never imagined I could have such a blessing next to me.”

Emilysia pumps water from the Sonder Project well

 The impact of the well has been transformative. “Since the well arrived, we haven’t gotten sick,” Moffat says with relief. “We can work equally on the farm now, and our income has increased by 80%. Before, we spent so much on medical bills. Now we save that money.” Moffat and Emilysia are now even able to tend a small thriving garden near their home, growing leafy vegetables to supplement their nutrition and income using irrigation from the Sonder well.   “Water is life,” Moffat says simply. “With clean water, we can do anything.”

Emilysia & Moffat tend to their garden

For Yesinta and Justin, the change is just as profound. They attend school regularly, bathe daily, and wear freshly washed clothes. “I feel clean now,” Justin says, giggling.  “I’m always on time for school now,” Yesinta tell us proudly

Yesinta and Justin together at their primary school

Reflecting on the impact, Moffat says, “We are so grateful to those who made this well possible. You are doing God’s work.” Emesiya adds with conviction, “Clean water gives us the power to be happy and joyful always.”

The Jere family enjoying time together at the Sonder Project well