Ethiopia
Clean water
Building clean drinking water facilities for 24 church partners in Ethiopia
Water & Sanitation
The Need
Across Ethiopia, diarrhea is the leading cause of death for children under age 5—representing the loss of more than 70,000 young lives each year. The root cause is simple: a lack of clean water for drinking and handwashing. Without fresh water sources in town, the burden typically falls on children—especially girls—to walk long distances and collect unsafe river water for their families’ daily needs.
Having conducted a needs assessment of 279 frontline church partners across the country, Compassion Ethiopia identified water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) as a top priority. Many Compassion centres had either no latrines or just pit latrines, and children had no water to wash their hands after using the bathroom. Recurring illness and disease outbreaks are painful consequences, with school attendance, academic performance and participation in the Compassion Child Development Program all suffering as a result.
Twenty-four Compassion centres in particular had limited access to clean water for drinking, cooking, sanitation and hygiene. Compassion Ethiopia committed to resolving the disparity by building sustainable water facilities for these 24 selected frontline church partners, which serve 6,000 boys and girls.
Our Response
Thank you for taking action to address the urgent need for clean water facilities at 24 frontline church partners. Construction commenced in May 2021 as soon as licenses were acquired from local government administration offices and all building materials were purchased by the task forces. Ten churches raised local resources to offset the escalated costs of construction materials in their regions. Some also had to travel outside of their region to acquire the materials needed since they were unavailable in their local areas.
Construction involved various phases including excavating soil; pouring concrete foundations; building steel frames; installing water tanks, pumps and community access points; and connecting pipelines. The water facilities were constructed with quality materials to ensure they can dependably serve their communities for many years to come.
Each church partner has been able to resolve their water shortage challenges, thanks to your financial support. All 24 churches now have high-capacity water tanks on site so they don’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of time or money fetching water for cooking the children’s meals, or paying for medical bills when the children get sick from contaminated water. Children also received training in sanitation and handwashing so they can maintain good hygiene. Steps help them to reach the taps easily, facilitating these hygiene practices.
Activities
A cup of cold water: Boys and girls are relishing the taste of clean drinking water to quench their thirst. They’re delighted they no longer have to collect water from contaminated rivers and can instead spend their time playing with friends and mentors.
Dignified handwashing: Children, church members and staff are thankful for the ability to wash their hands after using the toilet so they are ready to eat their meals safely.
Watering plants: Compassion staff are now able to water plants and trees on the centre properties to keep the grounds looking tidy and inviting for the children and church goers.
Your Gift Provides...
Your generous gift provided 24 frontline church partners with the labour and supplies to build clean drinking water facilities:
• Excavation and earth work
o Clearing and removal of topsoil
o Excavation for footings
• Concrete work
o Footing pads with reinforced concrete
o Foundation construction
o Columns, beams and bars
• Super structure
o Concrete reinforcement
o Steel reinforcement
• Finishing
o 3 coats of plastering in cement mortar
o Installation of external ladder
o Installation of 3,000-litre and 1,000-litre roto water tanks, pumps and pipeline fittings
ReportA message from a caregiver
Living in a small village with water shortages, I had difficulty getting enough water for my children. Before the intervention was completed, we had no taps in our homes, so we travelled long distances to fetch water from rivers and other sources. We could not get much water because we would have to go so far and fetch it back. Finding drinking water for our children’s laundry and other services was very difficult.
Now I am happy that when my son goes to school and church, he has easy access to drinking water from the church. Sometimes they allow us to take it home. When my child went to school with a small water container, he started to bring water home for drinking. That is why I am happy. Now he can wash his hands, feet and body.
I have learned that the church is good to everyone and has taken care of our children without exception. Now there is time for our children to play together at the church and use water for themselves. We have also learned not to waste water. I have seen the goodness of the church.
Thank you to all of you who participated in this good deed because it tells us how you are good. Because of you, our children can get clean water to drink. Even if there was only a little water provision in our compound, the shortage was very serious. However, this intervention is an excellent remedy for my children and their friends. I want to extend my gratitude to you for being committed to giving us clean water.
ReportA message from a pastor
We used to have many problems, mainly because there was not enough water at the church and it was not easily accessible in the area, which had a negative impact on activities, operations and expansion. But today, our beneficiary children have easy access to water. Now that we have this support, it is providing essential clean water for our church and community. For example, we are using it for cleaning and drinking.
Your support has been invaluable in helping us meet the needs for both children and their parents. It has helped us meet the children’s hygiene and drinking needs. Safe water plays a vital role in drinking, keeping them clean and protecting them from diseases caused by poor hygiene.
Our big thanks go to all of you who participated in this support. You have created opportunities for us to meet the needs of the children in our care. Thank you for your unstoppable support, both now and in the future. We always remember you before the Lord, thanking Him for your love and support.
ReportThank you for your generosity
Today, 6,000 children in Ethiopia are healthier and happier, thanks to your life-changing gift of clean water! Twenty-four frontline church partners now have ample clean water on site so children can drink water and wash their hands without fear of running out or becoming ill. Young girls who used to carry the grueling burden of collecting water from distant wells or rivers are now free to participate in their local Compassion centres and attend school. Children who used to miss out on program activities due to illness are now learning, playing and pursuing a life free of poverty alongside caring Christian mentors.
The Centre director at ET4015 says the water facility intervention significantly impacted their programing. The previous handwashing area was unsanitary and uncomfortable for small children because the basin was taller than they were. Now, toilet use and handwashing are a common practice among the little ones because they have access to proper facilities and know how to use them. The new sink even has stairs so the youngest ones can wash away germs before eating their meals prepared by staff with the piped water.
The Centre director at ET0705 has expressed that without your generosity, their new water facility would not exist. He appreciates and honours you for giving your heart and resources to make this water facility a reality for the boys and girls they serve. Their health has vastly improved due to reliable access to clean water and new hygiene habits.
All 24 church partners have testified to the fantastic results gained from the water facility initiative. The immense teamwork between program facilitators, church leadership and building crews has been a God-glorifying testament as they love and serve their communities. Everyone is overjoyed to savour the abundant pure water. The church communities are so happy, and church staff and leaders have expressed their deep gratitude.
Thank you for meeting the huge need for clean water. You have given these children—and those to come—the gift of a healthy childhood and a promising future. Thank you for your life-giving generosity!