Changing the future with clean water

Hana, a 25-year-old resident of the Arat Ber community, left school in Grade 3 following the death of her mother. Now married with a baby girl, she relies on her husband’s farming income to support their family.

Like many women in Arat Ber, Hana is responsible for fetching water for her household. Each day, she collects around 40 litres, requiring two trips to the nearby river—an unprotected source also used by animals. Each journey takes about an hour, meaning Hana spends at least two hours daily collecting unsafe water.

Hana told HOPE staff that her family, like many others in the community, regularly suffers from waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea, cholera, stomach pain and eye infections. Treatment requires frequent visits to the health centre, placing both financial and emotional strain on already vulnerable households.

The Arat Ber community is hopeful that HOPE’s support to build a local water system will transform their lives—providing clean, safe water, reducing illness and easing the financial burden of medical costs.

Since July 2025, HOPE Ethiopia staff have worked alongside the community to construct a pipeline from a newly capped spring to a reservoir. Community members have contributed labour, reflecting their strong commitment to the project.

Hana is excited about the change. Within weeks, her daily walks for water will be reduced by 1.5 hours, giving her more time to support her family’s needs and opening new opportunities for a healthier, more secure future.

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