Visit from University of Notre Dame Researcher
We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Mariah Antunes, a Microbiology Researcher from the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA), who is currently conducting water testing and behavioral health research in Malawi. Mariah has completed 11 years of university studies and is now doing her postdoctoral research.
Her visit with the MWP team was extremely positive. Derlinie and Lonnie provided a full tour of our facility, including the factory, gardens, latrine and shower areas, sand sorting and washing stations, the training room, and Helen’s memorial. Mariah was very impressed with the progress our project has made and the impact being achieved.
Our team met with her to showcase the work being done through our Biosand Filter program, Borehole Repair program, and Community Health Club initiatives. Lonnie also explained the biosand filter production process, including media preparation, installation, and household education, highlighting how Community Health Promoters and filter implementers work together to support healthier changes in the communities we serve.
Mariah also shared some of her research findings from communities in Ndirandi and Bangwe (Blantyre). She explained that many water samples collected from rivers and shallow wells showed a high presence of coliform bacteria, reinforcing the importance of safe water sources and effective household water treatment. She also discussed how factors such as access, affordability, and distance often influence which water sources families rely on.
In addition, Mariah emphasized the importance of proper handwashing with soap, and explained how unsafe water and bacteria exposure can contribute to serious illness, including diarrhea, dehydration, and other long-term health effects—especially for immunocompromised individuals.
Overall, the visit was encouraging and motivating for our team. We appreciated hearing Mariah’s scientific perspective and her support for the mission of MWP. She was excited to share what she observed with her research supervisor back in the United States and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to see our work firsthand.
