2006 Ethiopia Water TourIn April 2006, Water 1st staff and supporters traveled to Ethiopia for a first-hand look at the work of Water 1st and the work being done by our local partner organization, Water Action, to bring safe, sustainable water supplies to the poor of Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian government, 50% of the population of Ethiopia lives in absolute poverty, and overall only 17% of the population has access to safe water sources. In the rural areas, only 7% of people have access to safe water. Travelers visited completed and in-progress water, sanitation, and hygiene projects in the Oromia region, located three hours west of the capital city Addis Ababa. We met with the management committee of a large water project in Golja benefiting over 4,000 people. We interacted with community members and learned about their lives and how they manage the water projects on their own, collecting water fees from users and maintaining the system. We met with local government water officials and learned about their struggles to meet the enormous water needs of the region without adequate government funding. In the community of Awash Boloto, we participated in the construction of their water system, and were able to appreciate just how much labor is involved in constructing a new system. Using simple tools like shovels and pick-axes, our team of nine people worked alongside community members to dig a portion of the 10-km long pipeline that will bring water from a capped spring to water points within the community. Our final visit was to Ilamu Muja, the community benefiting from Water 1st support this year. During the visit, Water 1st Executive Director Marla Smith-Nilson announced our grant to the gathered community members. Ilamu Muja is a community of about 2,300 people who currently walk about three hours to obtain water from filthy springs shared with livestock. Community members are frequently ill and, because of the burden of illness and time spent fetching water, unable to participate in the development activities of the community. Several community members spoke to our group, expressing their problem with water, and their thankfulness for the support of organizations like Water 1st and Water Action, who are able to fund and implement the projects that the government is not able to do. “On behalf of my entire community, I want to thank you for coming today,” said a spokesman for the community. “There are no words to express my happiness that you are here and have come a long way to see us. Our problem is with water. Our women walk three hours each day to collect water, and it is not enough. Our children cannot go to school because they are collecting water. Our fathers and their fathers have been trying to solving this problem, and we have taken over this problem from them. What we have is our labor, and we will do as much as we can. We are not afraid to work hard.” A mother in the community shared, “I have never seen people like you. Just seeing your faces, visiting us here, makes me feel like our water project is halfway done already. Now I believe I will see something in my life–a change for the best. You have reached me before my time has passed.” Marla Smith-Nilson and board chair Kirk Anderson recognized the community for their contributions to the project. “We thank you for your expressions of gratitude for this project, and we will take your words home with us to our supporters. However, we also believe it’s important to recognize your role in this project. We are all partners–the community of Ilamu Muja, Water Action, Water 1st, and the woreda (government) offices. And as partners, we will walk hand-in-hand down the road toward the day when you have safe water in your village.” This was an unforgettable journey with our supporters and the people of Ethiopia learning and sharing about the projects we support and the incredible work of our local partner organization there. Related Links:
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