2020 was a challenging year for the coffee industry, from coffee farms to cafes across the globe. Project Waterfall have remained committed to coffee growing communities in Jabi Tehnan, supporting our delivery partners WaterAid as they navigate the challenges of COVID-19 to ensure progress towards universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for people living in Weynima and Mankusa.
We’re excited to announce that despite the challenges, our partners on the ground have made some huge leaps in our work to bring clean water to the Weynima and Mankusa communities. Let’s take a look at what’s been achieved over the last six months.
Goal 1: Clean & safe water
The water pumps in the Weyima community which were built during the last reporting period are now fully established and a local association has been set up by the community to run the water provision
Construction has begun in the Mankusa Abdogma community! A borehole penetrating 132m into the ground has been drilled into the ground, and all the tests have been carried out to ensure the water is safe to drink. When the construction for this well is completed, a further 5,000 people will have access to clean, safe drinking water.
A 100m3 reservoir is well on it’s way to being completed with help from the local community
A solar pumping system has been put in place, using renewable energy to pump the water from the borehole to the reservoir.
Goal 2: Sanitation for all
The toilet blocks at Weyima primary school have now been completed and handed over to the local community
Several workshops have been organised throughout the three Kebeles to share knowledge and best practise for improved hygiene and sanitation
The community have worked together to come up with a joint action plan to reach 100% sanitation coverage - this plan has been led by the community, for the community
A gender equality workshop was held for 38 couples which has enabled the couples, especially the women, to understand their rights to access WASH facilities and enhance their involvement in decision making within the community
Goal 3: Improved hygiene practises
Training has been provided to health leaders within the community to help guide house to house visits and develop a hygiene education programme for each of the Kebeles
Two school WASH clubs were established in Mankusa Abdogoma and Guay Wubishet Kebele, and health education sessions have been delivered at Guay Wubishet Elementary Junior School
These clubs and health sessions have focussed on improving hygiene practises within the school and educating female teachers and students on proper menstrual hygiene management to minimise risks related to poor menstrual hygiene and absenteeism
The project has also provided four schools with mini-media equipment such as speakers, LCD projectors and cameras to be used to raise awareness of sanitation and hygiene best practices in schools, as well as educational booklets printed in the local language to be referred back to for health education sessions with future students
Goal 4: Improved government systems and accountability
The project has established a Rural Water User Association to be responsible for running the Mankusa Abdogoma Water Supply System
The management team of the association is formed of nine executive committee members, 3 auditors and 63 WASH committee members, all elected by the General Assembly in a session organised by WaterAid, and in the presence of representatives from Woreda Water Office
This association is responsible for registering members, collecting payments, carrying out performance reviews and looking after the maintenance and ongoing running of the system
The impact of COVID 19
COVID-19 has diverted the attention of local government and the WASH sector offices as they work on preventing the spread of the virus, rather than infrastructure development projects
Similarly, lockdown has meant that WaterAid and project staff have had to work from home during the State of Emergency between April – September, halting face to face training activities and hygiene awareness which is normally delivered door to door. Regular joint site meetings were facilitated during this time to keep stakeholders engaged
What’s next?
Over the next 6 months, our delivery partners WaterAid will:
Complete construction of a fully integrated water supply system in Mankusa Abdogoma, delivering access to clean water to over 5000 community members
Train community members and government staff on the Community Score Card; a tool for assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation of services implemented
Support development of the Woreda Universal Master Plan; a consolidated WASH Plan to reach 2030 Sustainable Development Goal targets
Establish accountability mechanisms for the water supply service providers ready for project handover on completion