Bringing much needed clean water to Gezesso

The work on the Kalebo Laka water system has been progressing nicely over the past three months.  Much of the water infrastructure is now complete and the finishing touches on the water and wash points in the village just need to be completed.

Health and hygiene education is also being conducted throughout the village to ensure that the community is changing their behaviours in regards to cleanliness and sanitation.  In fact, HOPE's Community Mobiliser, Lydia, will continue to live in Kalebo Laka for over a year (a new government guideline) to model and continue to embed these lessons to ensure that the benefits of having access to clean water are fully realised by the local community.

A HOPE UK supporter was travelling in Africa last month and spent an afternoon in Kalebo Laka, observing the nearly completed project.  He was able to observe many components of the work being worked on: the new water reservoir while men rendered the inside, pipes being laid from the capped spring to the reservoir and the foundations being prepared for the nine water points.    Upon reflecting on his time in Kalebo Laka (and another village where the water system is now up and running), he writes "Addressing the impact of poverty is profoundly complex; no one person (the poor, charities/NGOs, donors) can solve it alone and it is a very imperfect science. But when you find yourself holding one of the jigsaw pieces that can help unlock the puzzle for even a few people, slotting it in place is maybe one of the best (and most humbling) feelings in the world."

Thank you for playing a part in addressing poverty in this very rural village in southwest Ethiopia.  You also have helped to unlock the puzzle and have helped to change their future.  They are very grateful.  

Very shortly the taps will be turned on in Kalebo Laka.  Access to clean water will not only improve their health but most significantly their future, giving them hope that they can improve their lives and the lives of future generations.