Mdughuyu Village Integrated Development Project
WATER
2025: Singida Region, Tanzania
“Before Eucanaid and the Tanzania Development Trust came we felt that we were the forgotten village, but now all this has changed.”
The Mdughuyu Village Integrated Development Project began in 2023 in response to long-standing isolation and lack of basic services in a remote village in Tanzania’s Singida Region.
The project was designed as a three-year integrated programme, addressing clean water, healthcare and education together, in partnership with the village community and local government.
Why this project mattered
For many years, Mdughuyu Village lacked access to essential services.
Seasonal flooding cut the village and surrounding sub-villages off from the main road for months at a time. Clean water was scarce, and during the dry season families travelled up to 10 km to buy water from a muddy pool.
There was no local healthcare. The nearest dispensary was 36 km away, and deaths were recorded when mothers went into labour while trying to reach care.
At the primary school, children learned in overcrowded classrooms in poor condition, with few toilets, no meals and no housing to retain teachers.
What has changed
CLEAN WATER
A borehole drilled to 157 metres now provides a reliable supply of clean water.
The system serves the village, the primary school, the dispensary, and livestock. Families no longer make long journeys for water, and illness linked to unsafe sources has been reduced.
The supply is metered and jointly managed by local government and a village water committee.
HEALTHCARE
A new village dispensary now provides essential care close to home.
In 2024, it played a key role during a cholera outbreak, treating up to 40 patients at one time.
In 2025, the dispensary treated 150 patients and supported the safe delivery of 9 babies.
The facility is staffed by two medical officers and includes sanitation and medical waste
management.
Why this project mattered
EDUCATION
The learning environment at Mdughuyu Primary School has improved significantly.
The project has supported:
- Two new classrooms and a head teacher’s office
- Six new toilets
- A school kitchen, with parents providing daily meals
- On-site accommodation for three teachers
- A school garden
Teacher attendance and retention have improved. In 2025, Standard 7 exam pass rates rose from 46% to 85.7%, and the school moved to the top of the ward rankings.
Working together
The project is delivered through partnership.
The village community contributed labour, including digging over 3 km of trenches, building toilet pits, supporting construction and managing water systems.
District authorities provided technical support, medical staff, electricity for the borehole, school desks, and a TZS 25 million grant to refurbish unfinished classrooms.
Partners include Tanzania Development Trust and Eucanaid, with support from Africa Palms and The Charles Hayward Trust.
Looking ahead
The project has brought lasting change: clean water, local healthcare and improved education.
Following its success, plans are being developed to extend the programme into 2026 and beyond, ensuring the progress made in Mdughuyu Village is sustained.
