Thursday, December 3, 2015

Water systems in southern Ethiopia will provide clean water to thousands of people

Friends of HOPE International Development Agency are providing thousands more families in southern Ethiopia with access to clean water.

Work on the clean water system in Banisha (and the greater area of Garbansa Karche) in southern Ethiopia’s Bonke region is progressing well.

About 5,000 people in these communities - representing 90% of the population in villages we are helping at this time - are on their way to having clean water to drink just steps from their homes.

To date, five water springs have been capped and 12 kilometres of water pipeline has been laid. Families in Banisha and Garbansa Karche have been very involved in both of these activities, spending hours digging trenches for the pipes and carrying materials to the spring capping site. This has been done with joy because it means clean water is coming soon. The construction of the reservoirs, water points, washbasins, and cattle troughs that make up the overall water system is about 90% complete.

Work on the spring capping system in Dorze Bele in Chencha is also progressing well. About 5,300 people in Dorze Bele will have clean water soon - representing 100% of the population in the villages we are working in.

To date, the spring has been capped and about 43% of the pipeline has been laid (2 kilometres). Families in Dorze Bele have also been very involved in both of these activities. The construction of a reservoir is about 30% complete, and work will soon begin on the water points, washbasins, and cattle troughs.

Our colleagues in Ethiopia also continue to work with the people of Banisha, Garbansa Karche, and Dorze Bele to organize them into community groups through which they will take care of their water systems, and to teach them simple ways to stay healthier, including washing their hands and digging pit latrines.