Changing the future with clean water

We are delighted to share that your generosity through HOPE UK is currently bringing help and hope to 6,878 people in southern Ethiopia — and, more importantly, laying foundations for a future free from poverty.

As you are aware, at the heart of this transformation is something simple, yet life-changing: clean water. When a community has reliable access to safe water, everything changes — health improves, children can attend school, women gain time to earn an income and families can begin to build a better future for themselves.

Right now, work is progressing on three water and sanitation projects in southern Ethiopia, while HOPE UK has also raised additional funds offline to support a vital livelihoods project. This fourth project will equip 75 low-income, primarily landless households with beehives, training and equipment so they can earn a sustainable income through honey production — a true hand up, not a handout.

Garo Korpha: Clean Water, New Beginnings

The community of Garo Korpha has had access to clean water since September 2025. Today, 2,280 men, women, and children benefit from a local, safe water supply, saving 1.5 to 2 hours every day previously spent collecting water. This is already leading to better health, more time for work and more children attending school regularly.

Arat Ber: Water Plus Opportunity

HOPE began working with the rural community of Arat Ber in July 2025. Just four months later, their new water system was completed, bringing the same life-changing benefits seen in Garo Korpha. In addition, 100 women have received basic business training and have each started an income generating activity. They are now seeing their household incomes begin to rise, strengthening their families’ futures.

Zala Barena: The Next Community on the Journey

This month, work has begun in the smaller community of Zala Barena, home to 1,025 people. Initial community meetings have taken place, materials for the water system are being delivered and local people are already contributing what they can — collecting timber, sand and stones — working side by side with HOPE’s construction team. This shared effort ensures the project is truly owned by the community.

All three of these water projects — as well as the beekeeping livelihoods component of another HOPE project — have been entirely funded by HOPE UK supporters. Thank you.  We are grateful that favourable exchange rates have meant your donations in GBP have gone even further than originally expected in Ethiopia, allowing HOPE UK to fund more projects than before.

Because of people like you, more communities are gaining clean water, more families are learning life-changing skills and more people are being empowered to lift themselves out of poverty. This is not just about meeting today’s needs — it is about building healthy, resilient communities with the skills, confidence and resources to shape their own future.

Thanks for your support.