Endris, 25, is married and has one daughter. He lives with his family in one of the villages most affected by climate change. They do not own their own land, but lease it from older people in the village. Endris wants to improve his family's nutrition and strengthen their income by farming. But the profits are not enough, especially the heavy rains destroyed part of the harvest last year.
Endris has joined forces with 13 neighbours to run a climate field school funded by the project. There they try out various cultivation and irrigation methods and test new seeds for their resistance to drought. The group meets weekly and evaluates the weather and the condition of the seeds. They pass the data on to the district's local weather station for analysis. Based on the data, they want to better combat plant diseases and pests in the future. For example, the project has given them early germinating and frost-resistant wheat, which they are testing on several fields with different organic fertilisers and irrigation methods.
The work in the Climate Field School enables the men to identify their greatest challenges in adapting to climate change - and they are given various options for action. Because one thing is clear: only together can they secure their livelihoods.
The aim of our project, which has been running since 2010, is to strengthen people's resilience and their livelihoods. Over the years, around 4,600 families have been involved in the various project components. One component is aimed at the conservation of natural resources. This involves water protection measures that are being implemented on 100 hectares of municipal land. Water corners, terraces and planted ditches will be created, rainwater better collected and drinking water supply improved. "There is no perfect solution for the affected communities when it comes to adapting to climate change," says Carlos Huérfano - as project manager for Ethiopia at Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, he has accompanied the project right from the start. "The aim is for the communities to come together and try out what works and what doesn't. What proves itself is then followed up."
As you see, sustainible changes are only possible with a long breath. Please support our work in Ethiopia - for a sustainible success.
Thank's a lot for your support
Yours
Michael Tuerk
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