Updates from Gesuba Woreda
Updated: 2 days ago
We have had a good week in Gesuba Woreda. On Monday and Tuesday we went to the communities of Dalbaza and Woreza where work commenced last time we were here in March. Work has been a little slower than expected due to unusual rainfall. I think it has also been slow because people have been disheartened by NGOs coming here so often, making promises and then walking away. It is not just disheartening for the communities, but also for the water office and the contractors. Everyone was so delighted to see Yalew and I.
The work done so far is great.
Dalbaza
the spring has been developed
two reservoirs are finished
one water point is finished that is next to the clinic
another water point is under construction at the school
one km of trench is being dug to lay the pipe to another water point which has not been started yet
Waraza
2km piping has been laid
one reservoir and one water point are started
one reservoir and one water point are still to be built
On Wednesday we inspected Mirgo and Gumbo and signed contracts for work there. We also agreed to a massive development at Qanqo that we looked at last time we were here.
Mirgo
spring development
one reservoir
one water point
Gumbo
existing site that needs maintenance
re-render the spring development
re-render the cattle trough
new taps
new washing table
Qanqo part one
the spring has already been developed and a small amount of pipeline is already there
6 new water points - one to the school
5 new reservoirs
several kilometres of piping
Qanqo part two
develop a spring
two reservoirs
two water points
All this work supplies about 10,000 people with clean fresh water.
The extra time and effort we went to last trip to create relationships has made the week really enjoyable and we have had a lot of interesting conversations. We visited the manager of the entire woreda who joined in the discussion about Qanqo as this is AUD 84,000 worth of work. He said he was honored to work with us and that noone had expected that we could possible do this much work for the people.
It’s funny what strikes people. On Monday I helped a little boy have a wash in the new clean water. He is about 3, his nose was full of rubbish and he had flies in his eyes. So we had a wash together, and blew the crap out of his nose, got rid of the flies, and then we washed his arms and legs and plastic sandals. He had a pretty good scrub. The contractor was apparently watching me and then told other people what had happened several times over the next few days. He even told the woreda manager, saying that he liked the respect it shows. He also said that it has changed his approach to his work and he will now encourage children to wash as he does his work. When I went back to his village today, the little boy’s face was shining - no snot, no flies.
We will go back to Waraza tomorrow (Friday) to say hi again and to encourage and support. On Saturday we drive back to Addis Ababa. I am going to Istanbul for two weeks before coming home. Yalew and I are both really happy with what we have set up. The plan is that I will come back in September to do a final check on the work and pay outstanding monies. Yalew will keep in touch with the woreda and contractors and update me.
Take good care everyone
catherine
