Today, with our implementing partner The Development and Social Services Commission (DASSC)of Mekane Yesus, we visited projects, both completed and under development in the Arbegona region near Hawassa. We have been implementing projects with this particular Synod of Mekane Yesus for three years now and have a completed 30 projects, with another 10 that should be completed by the end of summer. Arbegona is a two-hour drive from Hawassa, with elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet… definitely considered highlands topography.

Our first two sites are projects that are still under construction.  Shown above is the inside of the well at Bukesa, located adjacent to the Chucko Elementary School. This project just recently had the rings set in place after digging about 35 feet. The aquifer was reached at about 12 feet, and the water has risen to within about six feet of the surface, producing a reservoir of water of almost 30 feet, demonstrating excellent capacity.

 

At Bukesa, we met Adola, the principle of the elementary school, shown in the picture above with our intern Thomas. Adola and Thomas are discussing the impact that clean water will have on the students in the school. Adola’s school has 1,000 students in first through eighth grades. They attend school in two shifts. First through fourth grades have school in the morning, and fifth through eighth grades attend in the afternoon. They have a total of 20 teachers. Adola also serves as the chairperson for the water committee that is already functioning in anticipation of the well being completed in the next couple of months. Adlola says that now, without that well, the children must leave the school to fetch water from a nearby river that is unsafe. He knows the well will improve the health and attendance of his children.

 

Next we visited two of the completed wells in Arbegona, at Sharo and Nira. These have been operational for about three months. At both sites we were met by members of the water committee and the community, all expressing their gratitude and joy over the blessing of clean water. The area around Arbegona is in short supply of clean water sources, and because of its remoteness, no other NGOs beside DASSC are working in this area to bring new sustainable sources of clean water.

We are fascinated by the houses in this highland area … they look almost space-age-like. Very cool-looking, with the roof and sides all woven together to create a smooth, symmetrical, round hut. The one shown above is about 25 feet high and about 30 to 35 feet in diameter at the base. This style has been prevalent in this area for hundreds of years.

 

Today, with our implementing partner The Development and Social Services Commission (DASSC)of Mekane Yesus, we visited projects, both completed and under development in the Arbegona region near Hawassa. We have been implementing projects with this particular Synod of Mekane Yesus for three years now and have a completed 30 projects, with another 10 that should be completed by the end of summer. Arbegona is a two-hour drive from Hawassa, with elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet… definitely considered highlands topography.

Our first two sites are projects that are still under construction.  Shown above is the inside of the well at Bukesa, located adjacent to the Chucko Elementary School. This project just recently had the rings set in place after digging about 35 feet. The aquifer was reached at about 12 feet, and the water has risen to within about six feet of the surface, producing a reservoir of water of almost 30 feet, demonstrating excellent capacity.

 

At Bukesa, we met Adola, the principle of the elementary school, shown in the picture above with our intern Thomas. Adola and Thomas are discussing the impact that clean water will have on the students in the school. Adola’s school has 1,000 students in first through eighth grades. They attend school in two shifts. First through fourth grades have school in the morning, and fifth through eighth grades attend in the afternoon. They have a total of 20 teachers. Adola also serves as the chairperson for the water committee that is already functioning in anticipation of the well being completed in the next couple of months. Adlola says that now, without that well, the children must leave the school to fetch water from a nearby river that is unsafe. He knows the well will improve the health and attendance of his children.

 

Next we visited two of the completed wells in Arbegona, at Sharo and Nira. These have been operational for about three months. At both sites we were met by members of the water committee and the community, all expressing their gratitude and joy over the blessing of clean water. The area around Arbegona is in short supply of clean water sources, and because of its remoteness, no other NGOs beside DASSC are working in this area to bring new sustainable sources of clean water.

We are fascinated by the houses in this highland area … they look almost space-age-like. Very cool-looking, with the roof and sides all woven together to create a smooth, symmetrical, round hut. The one shown above is about 25 feet high and about 30 to 35 feet in diameter at the base. This style has been prevalent in this area for hundreds of years.