Friday, November 6, 2015

Living in a tent for one year is part of Masresha’s commitment to the people of Wabe Shore

Helping people requires commitment. This is especially true among the people of Wabe Shore who live in a rugged, remote region of southern Ethiopia.

Masresha, a young Ethiopian man supporting the work of HOPE International Development Agency by helping communities learn how to help themselves, exemplifies the type of commitment it takes to help people lift themselves out of poverty.

For nearly nine months, Masresha has spent his days among the people of Wabe Shore and his nights sleeping in a tiny tent pitched on the edge of a small forest. By the time Maresha finishes his work, he’ll have been in Wabe Shore for one year.

Masresha, a HOPE community mobilizer in southern Ethiopia, is helping the families of Wabe Shore by supporting the ongoing development of Self Help Groups and Water Committees that will ensure the work that HOPE donors have funded remains self-sustaining for years to come.

When asked about living in a tent in such a remote area, Masresha replied, “What matters is helping the community and knowing that they have a bright future ahead of them. The tent doesn’t matter.”

One of Masresha’s favorite ways to explain why he feels the work is worthwhile and brings him so much satisfaction is to tell the story of Wachay, a local man who has benefited from the work of Masresha and HOPE.

“Wachay used to travel long distances across treacherous terrain to access water – it was a real burden for him,” says Masresha. “Today, because of our work, Wachay has clean water readily available right in his community, very close to his home. In addition to having clean water to drink, he also uses the water to irrigate his crop fields and grow more food. For me, it has been very rewarding to be a part of this amazing change”

Masresha personifies commitment. His love of people and desire to help them become free from poverty is a key reason the work of HOPE in southern Ethiopia is transforming lives for the better, day after day, and year after year.