Build 2 water wells for 500 villagers in Ethiopia

Since our last update, most of the work we did at first was focused on wrapping up the projects we started in South Wollo, Amhara region, and Alelitu woreda, Oromia region. We are happy to report that we have managed to complete them. We also completed our two-year projects in Hagrermariam Woreda, Amhara region, and Bursa Woreda, Sidama region. We discussed with the health and administration offices on both sites and went over the projects we completed, the accomplishments and the takeaways. We also discussed at length about the various WASH (Water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs and Nutrition programs we implemented and the different approaches we took (example: Breast feeding consultations where we directly engaged with new mothers, Home to Home visits where we follow up with the community, school WASH programs to interact and educate the students etc.) and the effectiveness of them. We were very happy to receive the feedback and to include them in our future programs.

We have started the New Year with a bang, launching three major projects in Sidama region, Amhara region and, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Once finished, these projects combined will provide access to clean water for almost 1500 beneficiaries. The community’s involvement is crucial when launching a project. They can give invaluable insights on their challenges. This information help us come up with a plan that yields actual change, rooted in sustainability.

As we are coming upon 15 years since our beginning, how far we’ve grown and adapted throughout the years is astonishing. As part of the community, we were able to achieve new heights, and we are dedicated to reach even further.

All this is possible because of our partners and supporters who gave us a chance because they saw the passion and potential in us, guided us and pushed us to work harder and reach further, backing our vision of 100% access to clean water for all. We appreciate you all.

As always, a big thank you to GlobalGiving for giving us a platform to document our progress and showcase our growth. We are so grateful to have you in our corner.

Water is essential, it is a question of survival.

Let’s work together for a change and lead by example in our progress. 

We are committed to service! Since our last update, we have embarked on new and exciting projects in South Wollo, Amhara region, and Alelitu woreda, Oromia region. We are also in the final stages of completing a two-year project at our sites in Hagrermariam Woreda, Amhara region, and Bursa Woreda, Sidama region. At present, Drop of Water is implementing various WASH (Water, sanitation, and hygiene) programs, which include a variety of activities to engage and educate the local communities. As part of our Community WASH program, we planned to build 200 latrines (100 at each project sites) and exceeded this target by constructing 223, all equipped with hand washing basins.

Our program team and volunteers have also conducted home visits to keep in touch with the community and monitor their progress. In addition to the WASH programs, we have been working on a nutrition program. This program emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet, particularly for pregnant women, infants, and children under five years old, who are more susceptible to illness. One strategy we used was initiating a home gardening program, especially in the Hageremariam area of the Amhara region. We distributed seeds and plant watering basins to encourage households to grow their own food in a cost-effective manner. We have been able to assist over 300 households in cultivating and utilizing produce from their gardens. For our school WASH campaign, we successfully built eight Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) rooms. The rooms complete with basic furniture and sanitary pad supplies. After completion, we conducted sanitation and hygiene training for the school WASH club and girls' club.

As we welcome the Ethiopian New Year, we are prepared to expand our reach, work closely with the community, and serve with dedication. We are extremely grateful to our partners and supporters who provide financial and technical assistance; without them, we wouldn't be able to achieve our goals and reach more communities in need. We are stronger and broader in scope than before. We value each contribution and donation and strive to ensure all donations directly benefit the people we serve.

GlobalGiving has been a steadfast partner in our progress, offering us this platform to highlight our work. We are deeply appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to continued collaboration.

Water is a fundamental human necessity. Everyone has the right to clean water, and we have a responsibility to provide access to those who lack it.

By means of safe water, we give life!