The People of Gedamba Need Your Help!
Time and time again the thirsty people of Gedamba have been passed up by potential donors because their unique set of circumstances creates increased complexity and cost for the solution - an undertaking that many donors have walked away from. In most implementation areas, the water table is close to the surface, ranging between 20 to 50 feet. In these areas, the simplicity of hand dug wells is ideal. For Gedamba, this is not possible. The water table is an estimated 600 to 700 feet below the surface, and there is no simple solution.
Upon visiting the people of Gedamba, the stories we heard were heartbreaking. It would have been easy for us to be one more of the donors to pass over this community and its needs. But, as people of faith, it is part of our calling "to serve the least of these". If not us, then who?
Several factors come together to make this project manageable for us:
- For the last six months, engineering expertise and experience in Ethiopia has been put to work in seeking a solution for Gedamba. The appropriate field studies have been completed with a hydrologist to determine the water table depth, and drilling relationships have been established to promote successful execution of the well.
- The closeness in proximity to Addis Ababa (capital) reduces project risk as this area is served by a paved road. It is also located close to the office of our implemeting partner, thus making project oversight for such a large project much easier.
- The generosity of matching dollars from A Glimmer of Hope makes this solution attainable, and real for the people of Gedamba.
Specifics on the Gedamba Project
Gedamba, Oromomia Region, Ethiopia
This project includes the following:
- 1 Deep Bore-hole Well
- 1 Pump and Generator
- 1 Reservoir and Pipeline Distribution System
- 5 Clean Water Distribution Access Points
- 5 Latrine Facilities
- Serving over 4,000 Beneficiaries!
About the Community of Beneficiaries
Approximately 4,000 Christian Orthodox villagers (about 800 family units) live in the arid community of Gedamba, about 45 minutes southwest of Addis Abba. These humble people are living in abject poverty barely surviving with brown water from a huge pit (photo above). Their needs have been overlooked because of the expense of a 600-foot deep bore-hole well.
The nearest clean water is in Dalleti, 2-4 hours round trip. There is one health clinic serving the community. The most common diseases are water-borne or water-related: typhoid, diarrhea, jardia, malaria, intestinal parasites and skin diseases. They live in single room mud huts with thatch roofs, without electricity or sanitary latrines, which aggravate water contamination. The nearest market for buying and selling is 10 miles away on foot. There is one primary school up to the 4th grade (600 children and 10 teachers). There is one school after the 4th grade in Daletti 3.5 miles away, and one high school 10 miles away. Girls rarely attend school because of fetching water duties. It is women's and children's work to fetch water.
Current Environment
The main source of water for these communities is run-off from occasional showers which trickle into a muddy pit - a polluted source commonly used for health, hygiene, sanitation and watering livestock. However, because of extreme drought, even most unclean water sources are dry. This lack of access to safe drinking water for personal consumption and personal hygiene is the cause of 80% of diseases in rural Ethiopia, with waterborne diseases being the single largest contributor to Ethiopia's high infant mortality rate. Other common health problems such as diarrhea, intestinal parasites, skin infections and dysentery are preventable with improved water supply and sanitation practices.
Project Costs: $250,000
Matching Dollars Available!
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation will match dollar for dollar, all donations from Water to Thrive, up to $125,000. 100% of the donations are applied to the project cost!
The total cost for this new project is $250,000 of which the village/community will contribute 5% of the cost in the form of labor (building fences, digging and carting, etc.), construction materials and knowledge. The beneficiaries are willing to purchase the water to help with maintenance and sustainability.