In Oromya (Ethiopia), the main sources of water, traditionally unprotected, are shared by wild animals, livestock and people, with the consequent risk of being infected by gastrointestinal diseases.
Therefore, Social Promotion, with the financial support of AUARA, has worked in this region with the aim of improving community access to water. To achieve this, the project initially envisaged the construction of four fountains for human consumption and four drinking troughs for cattle, in order to improve water quality and prevent their transport in water cans and their possible contamination.
After the construction works and with the sources at full capacity, the project is receiving a very positive assessment from the rural community.
Even when each source of water intended for human consumption had to provide clean and potable water to some 40 or 50 families in the rural municipalities of Ambalta Fayera, Badharsa Jarso, Haro Fayisa, Tokuma Tsige, 960 people in total, finally the impact has been greater, and other families from more distant places may also benefit from this service.
Likewise, although it was not contemplated in the original project, due to the participation of women in the planning and implementation of the project, and according to their request, four laundries have also been built. In order not to increase the cost of the project, and to guarantee the complete work, it was the Community itself that contributed labor and helped in the transfer of rocks and sand to the construction site of the sources.
In this way, the project has not only helped to guarantee the human right of access to water but in a transversal way has also helped to reduce inequalities between men and women, since women are traditionally responsible for the search of water, and the wash of clothes. Likewise, the participation of the community itself in the construction and maintenance of the sources constitutes a guarantee for the sustainability of the project and long-term success.