Clean water and new skills for Garadida

In the past month, HOPE has received an update report from Ethiopia on the positive developments witnessed in the rural community of Garadida.  It has been reported that their awareness, attitude and bahaviours for preventing water-borne and other eye-related issues have improved.  According to a focus group of women interviewed, the health education delivered by HOPE staff has meant they wash their hands more frequently, pit latrines have been constructed and there has been an increase in the preparation of toilet covers and washed utensil driers.  This has been made possible because clean drinking water is now accessible for 312 households, leading to an improvement in health and allowing more time for pursuing economic activities.

In addition, the it was reported that:

- cattle houses are being separated from personal homes in most of the households; 

- most Self Help Group (SHG) members have started their own micro business;

- SHG members who took out loans from their respective groups are repaying them in a timely manner with interest;

-  environmental protections work is on its way, with a check dam made of gabion boxes being built currently; 

- community households have started practicing vegetable gardening in their backyard to improve the family members' nutritional intake.

The Garadida local government official stated, "The new water system is allowing the community to have easy access to clean water and that they are able to send their children to school because the time spent fetching water has decreased.  SHGs, agricultural inputs and environmental protection efforts have helped them."  In addition, a leader from the village, added, "Thanks to HOPE, we now have clean drinking water and the health, hygiene and sanitation education has helped our people.  We are gladly giving appreciation to HOPE because the changes in our community's living conditions are significant."

Thank you for your contribution to these positive life changes in Garadida.

As all funds have now been raised for Garadida (primarily via offline sources), HOPE UK is now raising the final funds needed for a water system in another rural Ethiopian village.  Would you consider also supporting our life-changing work in that community as well? To read more and make a donation, click here.       

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