Thirsty for Clean Water, Hungry for HOPE

Thank you for your support of the Zala Dola Water & Sanitation Project in southwest Ethiopia.  Construction work has now begun on the water system that will bring clean water access to this rural and needy community of 1,484 men, women and children.  This is a long-awaited dream come true for the 297 households who will soon end their lengthly and often dangerous walks to fetch water for their families.  Clean water access with bring improved health and education and economic opportunities to a community that has been locked into a cycle of poverty for generations as a result of not having access to one of life's essential needs.

For nearly a year HOPE UK has been raising funds for this water and sanitation project.  To date, we have now raised 76% of the budget and our partner, HOPE Canada, has raised a significant portion of the remaining costs.  Only 1% of the budget, approximately £1,200 GBP/$1,500USD still needs to be raised.  This is to contribute to the salary costs in the second year of the project for HOPE's Community Mobiliser who will continue to live in Zala Dola for the full 24-month project period, facilitating health and livelihood education.  

Contributions to the Zala Dola project have been made from individual donors, fundraising events (like the Run for H2O which was mentioned in our previous report), donations from churches and schools and corporate donors.  HOPE UK has also received eight grants and a major donation of £50,000 GBP/$62,540  USD specifically for this project.  

Like with all of HOPE's projects, the local community have also promised to cover 10% of the costs themselves by providing local materials (sand, gravel, timber, etc.) and labour in kind (for example, loading and unloading materials, assistance with transportation, digging the water line for the pipes and building the two water tankers, 8 wash basins and 10 water points).  HOPE has found that the community’s involvement in the planning and construction leads to project ownership when the final system is handed over to the community. In addition, the locally appointed WaSH Association and Water Caretakers, who are being trained to manage and maintain the system over the long term, are vital for project sustainability. Not only are they being provided with the skills to handle routine maintenance and repairs themselves, but they are being trained to reach out to the local government for larger system concerns. To that end, HOPE  engages with the appropriate government offices at different levels to ensure their continued commitment and support to the village and water supply once HOPE involvement in Zala Dola has ended, thereby ensuring sustainability.

We will continue to keep you up-to-date on the progress of this life-changing project.  

In a time of great uncertainty, we are grateful for your kind support of people in a desperate situation that you might personally never have to experience.  THANK YOU