HOPE plans to work with the community of Dorza Bele in southern Ethiopia to access clean water. At present access to clean water in this community is 0%. Our goal is that by the end of 2015, this will be 100%. With safe, clean water in their own village, health will improve, children can attend school, more food can be grown and adults will have more time to pursue economic-related activities which will benefit their families and community. Clean water will bring hope for their future.
Dirty water is at the heart of the extreme poverty families in Dorza Bele suffer. There is no point in planning or dreaming when their most fundamental resource takes rather than gives life. The water that can be found in local rivers, streams, ponds, and unprotected springs located hours away on foot is usually contaminated so women, children and men are often ill with preventable diseases. Sadly, most households in Dorza Bele know the pain of losing a child.
In 2015, HOPE will begin a project to bring clean water to 5,250 in this remote rural area of southern Ethiopia. This system will involve capping 1 spring, piping clean water 3,147 kilometres, constructing 7 water points & 6 wash basins, and providing 1 water trough for local cattle. In addition, HOPE will provide health & sanitation training to the community and will encourage families to build 120 latrines and make basic changes to everyday behaviour that will help them stay healthier.
By capping a nearby spring and having a local source of clean water in the village, 5,250 people will have a future with hope. Disease and death rates will fall (we predict there will be a 50% reduction in waterborne diseases and a 25% reduction in eye-infections, of which we will be monitoring). Children will be able to attend school. More food will be grown. Women will gain greater equality. Income will increase & self sufficiency will become possible. The future will be positively different!
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
