It is difficult to imagine a clean and sanitary environment without water. However, in rural Ethiopia, many communities lack such access.
Reaching a source of water can take several hours on foot in Amhara. Water sources are often shared with livestock, resulting in unsafe and contaminated water. To purify this water, a lot of firewood is needed in boiling it.
The daunting task of fetching water is mostly left to women and girls. One such woman is Ateref Amisalu, a 31-year-old mother of four. Her source of water was “Lol Minch”, a dirty and open water spring.
“Since the old water point broke seven years ago, I fetched water from unprotected springs. The water was contaminated with worms and germs which caused diseases in the community,” says Ateref.
This ordeal is now a thing of the past as Vita is repairing all broken water points and securing spare parts for them in Amhara.
“We now have safe and clean water in our community through the newly fixed water points,” says Ateref. She adds that since fixing of the water points commenced, diseases at household and community level have drastically reduced.
“I feel highly satisfied with my children’s health. My children and those of my friends no longer suffer from water-borne diseases. I am very grateful to Vita and the Sisters of Mercy for providing my community with water,” says Ateref.
Vita – with support from Sisters of Mercy- has been fixing broken water points and securing spare parts in Ethiopia through a partnership that spans 14 years. Together we have implemented significant and impactful programmes in Ethiopia which have benefited more 260,000 women and their families, and over one million more people indirectly, through a variety of life- transforming programmes.
The provision of clean and safe water to communities is reducing demand for firewood needed to purify water by boiling for long periods of time. This is saving trees and other forms of life that depend on forests for their survival.
In addition to the water projects, The Sisters of Mercy in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Canada and the USA are supporting Vita in rolling out improved cookstove in Ethiopia. The cookstoves, which are 60% more efficient compared to the traditional three stone open fire, are further reducing the number of trees cut for firewood. This is a practical way of implementing the Mercy values of ecological responsibility that protects the earth, reduces poverty and hardships for women and their families.
The provision of clean water and improved cookstoves is creating sustainable livelihoods for women and improving the quality of life for families in Africa. Women and girls no longer walk long distances to fetch water and firewood. Girls’ school attendance has improved, and women now have more time to engage in social, livelihood and religious activities such as catching up with friends, poultry keeping and church meetings. The Sisters of Mercy have made this possible. Their generous support enables us to protect our common home while lifting communities especially women out of poverty.