On tap for today is visiting two additional water projects in our Senglamen project area near Axum with our partners REST and Glimmer of Hope.  The project at Mai Abate is a hand dug well and at Mai Keto, it is a shallow borehole.  Both of these projects have been recently completed.

 

 

As we arrive at the area of the first site, Mai Abate, we quickly figure out that the path down to the community is a repeat of yesterday, except longer and bit more up and down valley. The path is characterized by alternating areas of relative flat terrain and then steep slopes strewn with rocks and boulders.  To say the least, challenging.  For this trek, four of our group (Jan, Jill, Jim and Dick) spend a bit more than an hour reaching the village area.

 

 

When we approach the village, near the path, we see the community’s previous water hole from which they collected their water.  It is a smallish, spring feed, area in which the community has trapped the water.  In addition to being contaminated, we learn that the water is also infested with leeches.  For such a remote location, this adds another potential health risk for the community.

 

 

As we approach the area where the community is waiting for us, we see the completed Mai Abate project. As mentioned yesterday, the area has many expert stone masons, and their handiwork is very evident here.  The rock wall protecting the project is very well done, perfectly circular and a demonstration of how much the community respects this new addition to their community. The project has been completed and functional for less than a week.

 

 

After our greeting with the community leaders, we immediately make our way to the project. The entrance is covered by a ribbon, which the W2T cuts to inaugurate the new well for the community!

 

 

Our group gets to experience the flowing of clean, safe water that will bring health and economic progress to the community of Mai Abate.

 

 

 

Our group gets to meet with the water committee of Mai Abate, who are shown in the picture above.  They are extremely committed to the sustainability and care of their project and already started collecting money for the maintenance fund.  We learn that about 350 people in the immediate area will benefit from the project.

 

We retire to a more shaded area to celebrate the inauguration of the well with the community. Joyous moments like this remind us of the spirit filled, caring character of the people we serve. While they are extremely grateful for their new project, they are quick to mention the surrounding communities near them that still suffer from the lack of clean water.  They hope and pray that some day they have the same blessing. We also learn that because of the remote location, there is no school for the small children.  Some of the older children go to a school that is more than two hours away.

 

 

The community expresses their gratitude with gifts for all the W2T group, including a framed picture of before/after the project was completed. And…

 

 

….the women of the community have prepared food and snacks for all to enjoy….

 

 

….and we are treated to local songs and dances. Jim gets to demonstrate his skill at the traditional Tigrian shoulder dance!

 

We had a great time with the community….these celebrations are the heart of Water to Thrives mission, connecting donor/sponsors to villages that will benefit for generations from the blessing of clean, safe water.  The outpouring of thanksgiving from both is Spirit filled.

 

Reluctantly, we start our trek out of the valley.  Jim was a bit winded coming in, so we requested from the community to find a mule for Jim, to ease his route out.  They say that is on the way and that they will meet us on the way up, so we set out. After about 30 minutes, we hear from the locals that the mule is “lost”. So we continue on…..

 

 

About 2/3 of the way out, two elderly men arrive with Jim’s replacement mule….They bring two long poles with a chair and suggesting that they carry Jim out on chair!….on their shoulders.  The two men are 63 and 65! Jim expresses his gratitude for the offer, but decides it is safer to walk than ride!

 

We reach the top huffing and puffing……the walk out takes almost 2 hours!  The distance is about 3 miles and 540 feet of elevation change.  We definitely got our aerobic exercise today!

 

The long walk in and out at Mai Abate puts us about two hours behind schedule, but we are determined to visit the community at Mai Keto, before heading to Gheralta.

 

 

Because this site is much more accessible, all of the W2T group, shown in the picture above, gets to see the completed project at Mai Keto.  This shallow borehole has been operational for the community for about one week.  The wall is not yet complete, but well under way, so some site finalization work still needs to be completed by the community.

 

 

Although much of the community has returned home due to our very late arrival, a number are still waiting to greet and thank us for the community.  We get to meet and speak with the three women, shown above, who are members of the community water committee.

 

We get a later start than anticipated, but we start our afternoon drive to Gheralta Lodge.  It is about 3 hours long and arrive about 6:00 pm.  More about this special place in tomorrow blog.

 

 

In addition to excellent accommodations, the food is always great at the Lodge.  We get to enjoy some delicious organic salads, homemade pasta and meatloaf.  The evening is capped off by a special surprise…..Dick celebrates his birthday in Ethiopia! Through Facebook, Gebresalassie from the Glimmer staff discovered that today is Dick’s birthday and arranged (through REST) for a birthday cake.  It is shared and enjoyed by all!

 On tap for today is visiting two additional water projects in our Senglamen project area near Axum with our partners REST and Glimmer of Hope.  The project at Mai Abate is a hand dug well and at Mai Keto, it is a shallow borehole.  Both of these projects have been recently completed.

 

 

As we arrive at the area of the first site, Mai Abate, we quickly figure out that the path down to the community is a repeat of yesterday, except longer and bit more up and down valley. The path is characterized by alternating areas of relative flat terrain and then steep slopes strewn with rocks and boulders.  To say the least, challenging.  For this trek, four of our group (Jan, Jill, Jim and Dick) spend a bit more than an hour reaching the village area.

 

 

When we approach the village, near the path, we see the community’s previous water hole from which they collected their water.  It is a smallish, spring feed, area in which the community has trapped the water.  In addition to being contaminated, we learn that the water is also infested with leeches.  For such a remote location, this adds another potential health risk for the community.

 

 

As we approach the area where the community is waiting for us, we see the completed Mai Abate project. As mentioned yesterday, the area has many expert stone masons, and their handiwork is very evident here.  The rock wall protecting the project is very well done, perfectly circular and a demonstration of how much the community respects this new addition to their community. The project has been completed and functional for less than a week.

 

 

After our greeting with the community leaders, we immediately make our way to the project. The entrance is covered by a ribbon, which the W2T cuts to inaugurate the new well for the community!

 

 

Our group gets to experience the flowing of clean, safe water that will bring health and economic progress to the community of Mai Abate.

 

 

 

Our group gets to meet with the water committee of Mai Abate, who are shown in the picture above.  They are extremely committed to the sustainability and care of their project and already started collecting money for the maintenance fund.  We learn that about 350 people in the immediate area will benefit from the project.

 

We retire to a more shaded area to celebrate the inauguration of the well with the community. Joyous moments like this remind us of the spirit filled, caring character of the people we serve. While they are extremely grateful for their new project, they are quick to mention the surrounding communities near them that still suffer from the lack of clean water.  They hope and pray that some day they have the same blessing. We also learn that because of the remote location, there is no school for the small children.  Some of the older children go to a school that is more than two hours away.

 

 

The community expresses their gratitude with gifts for all the W2T group, including a framed picture of before/after the project was completed. And…

 

 

….the women of the community have prepared food and snacks for all to enjoy….

 

 

….and we are treated to local songs and dances. Jim gets to demonstrate his skill at the traditional Tigrian shoulder dance!

 

We had a great time with the community….these celebrations are the heart of Water to Thrives mission, connecting donor/sponsors to villages that will benefit for generations from the blessing of clean, safe water.  The outpouring of thanksgiving from both is Spirit filled.

 

Reluctantly, we start our trek out of the valley.  Jim was a bit winded coming in, so we requested from the community to find a mule for Jim, to ease his route out.  They say that is on the way and that they will meet us on the way up, so we set out. After about 30 minutes, we hear from the locals that the mule is “lost”. So we continue on…..

 

 

About 2/3 of the way out, two elderly men arrive with Jim’s replacement mule….They bring two long poles with a chair and suggesting that they carry Jim out on chair!….on their shoulders.  The two men are 63 and 65! Jim expresses his gratitude for the offer, but decides it is safer to walk than ride!

 

We reach the top huffing and puffing……the walk out takes almost 2 hours!  The distance is about 3 miles and 540 feet of elevation change.  We definitely got our aerobic exercise today!

 

The long walk in and out at Mai Abate puts us about two hours behind schedule, but we are determined to visit the community at Mai Keto, before heading to Gheralta.

 

 

Because this site is much more accessible, all of the W2T group, shown in the picture above, gets to see the completed project at Mai Keto.  This shallow borehole has been operational for the community for about one week.  The wall is not yet complete, but well under way, so some site finalization work still needs to be completed by the community.

 

 

Although much of the community has returned home due to our very late arrival, a number are still waiting to greet and thank us for the community.  We get to meet and speak with the three women, shown above, who are members of the community water committee.

 

We get a later start than anticipated, but we start our afternoon drive to Gheralta Lodge.  It is about 3 hours long and arrive about 6:00 pm.  More about this special place in tomorrow blog.

 

 

In addition to excellent accommodations, the food is always great at the Lodge.  We get to enjoy some delicious organic salads, homemade pasta and meatloaf.  The evening is capped off by a special surprise…..Dick celebrates his birthday in Ethiopia! Through Facebook, Gebresalassie from the Glimmer staff discovered that today is Dick’s birthday and arranged (through REST) for a birthday cake.  It is shared and enjoyed by all!