2010 Ethiopia Water Tour

Water is flowing in Bishikiltu and School enrollment for girls doubles in Ilamu Muja

On February 1, 2010, Water 1st staff and supporters visited the community of Bishikiltu and witnessed the beautiful sight of safe water flowing from community taps. In this photo, Luli Baheru and her neighbors are gathering their water at a public water point just a few minutes from their homes. Community members are happy to be drinking water “as clean as bottled water” and they are happy they don’t have to walk hours each day to get water. These are benefits they have been anticipating for years and they are enjoying the dream-turned-reality.

They also told us that they are beginning to realize the benefits of other aspects of the project. One community member spoke about his elderly father who now has a latrine at his home. At night, it is easy and safe for him to go out to the latrine, rather than having to walk quite a ways to the woods in the dark. It’s another example of the many ways Water 1st projects promote the health and dignity of some of the world’s poorest.

While it was rewarding to see the completed work in Bishikiltu, it was even more gratifying to visit Ilamu Muja, the community that completed their project in January 2008. The project has been consistently operating for the past two years under the control of the community. The water management board shows more confidence and skill every time we visit. The committee has been able to cover all operating costs on their revenues, charging a water fee that every community member feels is fair and affordable. They’ve even started building a small surplus, which can slowly grow and provide the money needed for any future major repair or system upgrade. Two years ago, the community tended to ask for more assistance to help with other needs. Now they talk about their own plans to address problems affecting the community. Perhaps the most impressive news was the advancement in girls’ education.

"Since the water started flowing 2 years ago, enrollment of girls at our school has doubled."

The group also spent a morning experiencing the typical walk for water. The Water Tour participants joined the community members of Kelcho Gerbi at their water source. Kelcho Gerbi is the community that will complete the 2010 Water 1st project in Ethiopia. We filled a bunch of 5-gallon containers with murky, warm water, loaded them on our backs, and carried them to homes. Walking 30–45 minutes with a 40-pound load was difficult, but we all succeeded.

What struck people the most was a feeling of discouragement at having worked so hard to merely bring dirty water into someone’s house. Were we helping them or bringing them something that would make someone in the family sick? At least we had the consolation of knowing that this community was starting its own project and would have safe water at conveniently located public taps, latrines, and hygiene education about one year from now.

Thank you to all twenty-one 2010 Water Tour participants for their adventurous spirits and their ability to connect with our friends in Oromia, Ethiopia. If you are interested in participating in the 2011 Water Tour, contact Kirk Anderson (phone – 206.297.3024). It’s an experience you will treasure more than you can imagine.

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