We have been saved from disease!

In the past, long queues and long distances to get safe drinking water were part of Mrs. Wude Berhan's daily routine. Her families were particularly vulnerable to a variety of water-borne diseases caused by poor sanitation.

Wude Birhan is a resident of Cherkos village, Arga Kebele, Guna Begemder woreda. She is 40 years old and has 5 children. She supports her husband by farming. Although they are having a happy marriage, their water supply is still affecting the health and well-being of their families. They were particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, ameba, and stomach ache.

But now, she said that ORDA Ethiopia’s Inclusive Health, Economic and Social Development (IHESDP) project has provided them with safe drinking water.

The project, which is funded by Hope and Healing International, is working to improve the lives of girls and young people and to improve the lives of trachoma-affected and disabled families in Guna Begemidr and Andabet woredas, Amhara Regional State.

In particular, to keep the hygiene and health of beneficiaries, one of the beneficiaries’ kebeles is Arga Kebele, where Wude Birhan lives. W/ro Wude now got enough safe water for drinking, and to keep her home sanitation.

"We have access to clean water, we have no problem for bathing, baby showers and cooking," she said.

W/ro Wude participates in the water committee to have the water scheme longer life and use. In addition, for the water maintenance, each member contributes 5 birr per month; they control the water supply. As a result, they take good care of the water system that to use for many years. The project has saved us from water shortages, she said.

In keeping the hygiene and sanitation of the beneficiaries, the project constructed 28 shallow wells which will be accessed by 3,893 (F: 1729) beneficiaries and constructed 19 spring developments which benefits 2522 (F:1,172) residents. And it constructed 162 rope washer pumps to farmers for horticulture development, and constructed 19 ventilated latrines at schools with separate blocks for boys and girls. Furthermore, it made trachoma treatment /surgeries for 663 (F: 372) trachoma victims.