By: Makeda Yohannes
Emdibir Eparchy inaugurated a water project with a capacity to provide portable water for 8000 people in Guraghe Zone of Southern Ethiopia on November 19, 2016. The Abegar Clean Drinking Water Project implemented in 3 peasant associations in the Zone is financially supported by Caritas Spain.
Even though spring water is available in the area, previously the communities were not accessing clean water from the natural water resources for their livelihoods making them vulnerable to various waterborne diseases and related complications.
With Abegar Clean Drinking Water Project the communities can now get portable water for drinking and other household use through 22 water points. Cattle troughs and separate washing basins for clothes are also constructed for the community use.
H.E. Bishop Mussie, Eparch of Emdibir blessed the completed project and lauded the community and local authorities for their unreserved support for the project. He said the Church recognizes that clean water has been a need for the community and will continue to work diligently to respond to this need. The Eparch of Emdbir also thanked Caritas Spain for their partnership.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony Rev. Fr. Teshome Fikre, Vicar General and Diocesan Director of Eparchy of Emdibir said that trainings for the community and local authorities is one of the most important components of the project as it will ensure sustainability.
“I would like to acknowledge the participation of the community and the support of the local authorities for the successful completion of this project which we have been working on for the past 2 years. I am proud to inform you that the community have established users association and developed a guide, they have been trained on maintenance, users guide, and collection of users’ fee; the community have taken ownership of the project and will be using the users’ fee for maintenance to ensure its long term sustainability,” he explained.
Fr. Teshome also disclosed that expansion of the project has been approved to make 3 more peasant associations in the Zone benefit from the project to provide potable water to 7600 people more.
Local government authorities expressed their appreciation for the project and stated their dedication for its long term sustainability to ensure maximum benefit for the users. They also assured their continued collaboration with the Church for further social development works. Also on the occasion representative women in the community said that the construction of the water points is particularly special for women as carrying water for household use from a long distance has been a task for them. In addition caring for their children who are frequently suffering for waterborne diseases was also another burden for the women in the communities. They expressed their happiness stating the Catholic Church has always been there with a response to their most required needs.
In the past 15 years the Church has completed 15 water projects in the Eparchy of Emdibir which have allowed more than 140,000 people to access portable water. In addition to water projects Eparchy of Emdibir serves the community with dedication to ensure health, education, food security and women promotion.
Currently in the Eparchy there are 49 educational institutions with 15,000 students and 8 health facilities mainly serving people in most rural and remote areas.