December 17, 2024
News
Access to clean water is a universal need, yet for countless families in Ethiopia, it remains a difficult and sometimes dangerous daily challenge. In Abala Abaya, a rural district situated 419 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, water scarcity has shaped the lives of entire communities. Among those affected is Almaz, a mother of seven, whose story speaks to the profound impact that access to clean water, or lack thereof, can have on a family’s health, time, and overall quality of life. Almaz now has access to clean water near her home, thanks to our help.
The journey to get water was gruelling
Almaz lives in Chawukere Kebele, an area where the quest for water dominates the daily lives of its residents. For years, every day began with a daunting three-hour round-trip journey to fetch water from a distant spring. This journey was gruelling, consuming hours that Almaz could have otherwise spent on household responsibilities, earning income, or caring for her children. Each trek involved physical exertion that left her exhausted before the day had even begun.
Yet, the challenges extended far beyond the time and energy required. The water that Almaz brought was hot due to geothermal activity in the area and needed to be cooled for 10 to 12 hours before drinking or cooking. It also contained high levels of fluoride. This lengthy cooling period disrupted her ability to care for her household and her family. Even more alarming, the high fluoride content of the water posed serious health risks for her family, increasing their vulnerability to dental and skeletal fluorosis, conditions that can cause long-term pain and disability.
Almaz’s struggle with water scarcity also carried financial implications. Purchasing water was an option, but at 30 Ethiopian birrs (0.25$/ Less than1$) for a mere 20 litres, it was far beyond what her family could afford on their limited income. Even with donkeys to help transport the water, the physical and economic toll was immense. “I constantly worried about my family’s well-being,“ Almaz shares. “I feared for my family's health due to the contaminated water, and felt the frustration of losing so much time just to secure the most basic necessities.“
The psychological burden was heavy. The strain of being unable to guarantee safe drinking water for her children affected Almaz deeply, as she watched her family contend with the physical and emotional toll of an inadequate water supply. Despite these hardships, she remained resilient, motivated by a fierce determination to protect and care for her children under any circumstances.
This all began to change when Caritas Czech Republic, thanks to funding from Czech Aid, provided reliable source of clean water in Chawukere Kebele. The initiative was specifically designed to address the water needs of communities like Almaz’s by establishing a nearby, reliable source of clean water, eliminating the need for long, physically taxing journeys. With safe water now available within reach, Almaz and her family were finally able to break free from the daily struggle that had dominated their lives for years.
I can spend more time with my children
The impact on Almaz and her family has been transformative. “No longer burdened with a three-hour daily journey for water, I have regained more than 10 hours each week,“ she shares. “Now I can spend that time with my children, take care of my household, and even explore ways to earn an income to support our family.“
For Almaz’s children, the difference has been life-changing. “Their health risks have plummeted now that they no longer have to rely on water with dangerous fluoride levels. They can focus on school, play, and their future.” Clean water has not just eased Almaz’s physical strain - it has lifted an emotional weight as well. “I have peace of mind. I’m no longer consumed by the constant worry over my family’s water needs,“ she says.
Beyond the immediate health and time-saving benefits, this initiative has given Almaz hope for a better future for her family. She no longer faces the daily dilemma of choosing between unsafe water and financial strain, and she has time to invest in a better quality of life.
Almaz’s story is a powerful testament to the broader impact that clean water access has on underserved communities. It reveals the interconnected nature of water security, health, economic opportunity, and family well-being. Her transformation from a life of daily struggle to one of renewed hope and stability underscores the importance of sustainable water solutions in improving lives and fostering resilient communities.
By ensuring reliable access to clean water, organisations like Caritas Czech Republic are not only improving immediate quality of life but also helping families build brighter futures. Almaz’s story, rooted in resilience and renewed hope, is a call to action for continued investment in infrastructure that can change lives across Ethiopia and beyond.
Almaz herself extends her thanks and wishes to all who are at the back of this support. “May God grants you abundantly!” she says.
How is Caritas Czech Republic helping in Ethiopia
Abala is one of the Woredas in Wolayita Zone that has experienced the worst impacts of the drought. The livelihood of targeted community is mainly dependent on rain-fed agriculture without adequate access to improved farming methods, lack of input and market linkage. That is why Caritas Czech Republic working on improving climate resilience through enhancing access to water and sanitation and strengthening livelihood options for vulnerable people.
n Abala, we also empower women by offering life skills, basic business skills, and leadership training. In areas affected by droughts and floods, we focus on sustainable solutions like training farmers in Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) to help them adapt to challenging conditions. Recognising the high risks Abala faces, we are also strengthening early warning systems. By providing timely updates on weather conditions and meteorological events, we are working to protect both people and animals, ensuring their safety and livelihoods in a changing climate.
Almaz received assistance thanks to the support of Czech Aid and Caritas Czech Republic.
