Examples of our work in Ethiopia

Life without safe water

"The water is not good in this pond," says Zenebech Jemel from Chobare Meno. "There are worms and so many ugly things in it. All the animals drink from the pond as well as the community. We have no alternative.

This pond water is so, so dirty and we cannot do anything about it. Because of the water we get different diseases. I have three children. They have respiratory problems, coughs and flu as well as diarrhoea and malaria.

Sometimes we will go to the clinic, we either take the children or if they are too ill, we go and bring the medicine back for them. We might visit the clinic two to three times per month. We are hoping and praying for clean water."

A people's project

Haji Hamada excavating a trench that will act as a conduit for safe water.

Credit: WaterAid / Jenny Matthews

The Hitosa gravity scheme is seen as one of WaterAid's most successful projects in the country. It is part of the largest water supply project in Ethiopia constructed by more than 60,000 people in 31 communities, who now all have safe water close to their homes.

Haji Hamada from Ada Shaki village explained:

"I am excavating the trench with my community to get safe water. I have four children and we all have severe problems with water. We used to walk for two hours to the ponds or stream. Now we are very happy. I have been involved in collecting the money, and paid 45 birr (£4.50) towards the project. Each family pays and is given five metres of trench to dig. I hope to finish it in two hours."

Improving health

Sister Marta Asefa works for WaterAid teaching health and hygiene to rural communities.

Credit: WaterAid / Jenny Matthews

Sister Marta Asefa works for WaterAid teaching health and hygiene to rural communities. 'Before I joined WaterAid I was a nurse and most of the patients we saw suffered from water related diseases.'

'Now I teach people about hygiene and sanitation. I ask them about diseases in their village and teach them how to stay healthy. I tell them about the importance of clean water and latrines, how to look after their children and clean the compounds.

"For example if a child has scabies, I tell them they should wash their children and clothes regularly to avoid this skin disease. I like teaching people so they can control their own health and not have any diseases. If they listen, they will be healthier and be able to save money that they normally spend on medicines."

Time for girls to go to school

Bekere Washo village is one of the 25 villages that are covered by the Gonde Iteya WSSH Project. Before November 1999, the community's water was collected from the polluted Amude Lake, 8km from the village. People and their livestock were very much exposed to water born diseases, and sometimes attacked by wild animals on their way the water sources.

Water collection was always the work of women, helped by their daughters, who did not get a chance to go to school as their brothers did, but used to stay to help their mothers' at home. Washing clothes was usually done at the rivers on alternate days.

Shuma has lived in the village for six years: "We used to collect water very early (around four or five o'clock in the morning). Otherwise, you cannot get good water, it would be mud," she says. "Often, I had to miss class or reach school very tired. It took about five to six hours for a round trip".

Her friend, Uma Ahmed has four children, two boys and two girls. Her eldest child, a girl, is ten years old, and helps her mother at home instead of going to school: "I needed someone to help me at home. Besides, I don't think water collection needs a formal education. That is why I did not send my child to school. But now I have plenty of time, I do need her to attend school than helping me at home."

The community now has a clean water supply nearby, and with more time, the women can help their husbands during farming. Some of them are planning to start a small trade near their village. Others also expressed their readiness to send their girls to school instead of helping their mothers in water collection.

The women have now started to wash clothes at home. Washing clothes every week is now possible. They have got plenty of water for cooking, bathing and washing their children. The women expressed their relief from the monotonous journey of collecting water and now, have the satisfaction of properly managing their home - preparing food on time, taking care of their children and having time for socialization.