Ethiopia

Since 2007, HOPE International Development Agency has provided water provision, health education and community development project in two regions of Southern Nation Nationalities and People's Regional State (SNNPRS) in Ethiopia. Similar projects have been completed and we would like to introduce you to a few of them, one which was implemented in 2007-2008 and our latest in 2011.

Water Provision, Health Education and Community Development Project in the Southern Nation Nationalities and People's Region Southern Ethiopia, with the support of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

 

 

 

Project Description:
In the Derashe district of southern Ethiopia, the water source is found far from the villages and near the top of steep hills, and it was necessary for the residents to spend between 1 to 3 hours going up and down, every time they wanted to draw water. Due to these circumstances, the residents often resorted to using the nearby-contaminated water, causing constant, diarrhea and parasites that resulted in the risk of death or disease greatly increasing amongst the people.   

 

Furthermore, the great burden on the women in the community responsible for collecting of the water and looking after the family’s hygiene, coupled with their lack of knowledge about hygiene and their low social-standing, were having a huge effect on the families. HOPE International Development Agency Japan assisted the community to develop by, together with protecting water source for supplying clean water and installing a water provision system, establishing a committee of residents that respects women’s standing in society, and also organizing hygiene-related educational activities.

 

 

In installing the water provision system, rather than using specialist materials, we used highly-durable and easily-obtainable materials that were bought locally and from elsewhere in Ethiopia when not available locally. 
Furthermore, the construction of the system is kept simple so that it can be used for a long time and easily maintained.

 

Before commencing the project, s community meeting was held with all the local residents present in which the importance of the water provision system and the lead role of the residents themselves in the project was explained.

 

The local residents carried out the non-specialized labour of the installation work, received training on maintenance, elected a water committee for the continued maintenance and supervision of the system, and established their own regulations.

 

In order to ensure that the provided clean water improves the health of the residents, our local staff, two hygiene education specialists, visited each house in the community and informed everyone of the points they should be aware of. Training was also given to the Health committee elected by the residents, and the communities are today continuing in their own health and hygiene education activities.

 

The water committee is composed of men AND women, enabling the women to have voice in matters that directly involves them, such as "securing water". The health committee is women-centered. These approaches involving women in public decision making process has improved the women's position in the community.

 

Now, the time required for drawing water is reduced from 1-3 hours to 15 minutes.  Now, every resident in this area has access to clean water.

 

 

Project 2: