Water to Thrive

As usual, we start our day early, departing Ambo at 7:30 am for the two hour drive back to Addis. We will be saying goodbye to our Mekane Yesus partner and friends until November 5^th when we will meet again for a wrap up meeting in Addis.

We connect with the Glimmer of Hope staff at our hotel, the Kaleb.  Our goal today is to meet the management of Oromia Development Association (ODA) and visit some of their water projects that they have recently completed for Glimmer in a pilot project.  They are nearing completion of a new school block, health post and 17 water projects.  The possibility of a W2T relationship with ODA through Glimmer represents both added capacity and diversity of geography for our 2012 projects in Ethiopia.

We drive 2 ½ hours north of Addis to have lunch with ODA and exchange information about our organizations, including structure, strategy and priorities.  Amazingly, we find out that ODA is a member owned organization of more than 3 million members in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.  The 3 million members are organized in several levels across the region, culminating in a local, community-based committee that volunteers time and resources to assist ODA in its implementation of programmatic work at the community level.  This is very reminiscent of the fraternal organizations like Thrivent, Knights of Columbus, Woodmen, etc. that were created in the early years of our country to serve the needs of its members.  This heavy local community involvement creates a great feedback process for accountability and sustainability of ODA programmatic work in the field.

We head out to the nearby pilot project area to visit several of the new projects.  We are able to visit a Spring Protection Development (SPD) that is nearing completion.  The community is ecstatic about the new source of clean water, so much so that community members are already taking advantage of the availability of safe water even though ODA has several days of finishing touches to complete the project.  Next we visit a completed hand dug well that has been operational for several months.  Again the community members are very happy with the new source of water and the relationship with ODA.  While Homer, Kattie and Dick visit this project, Joyce has the chance to check out the new school block and visit with the students and teachers.  One classroom is already in use…..smiling faces all around!

Although the visit was short, we depart back to Addis feeling great about the expertise, processes, quality of work, community involvement and efficiency of the ODA organization.  Shortly, ODA will be submitting 10 projects to Glimmer of Hope for W2T’s consideration.  These projects would be implemented between November 2011 and June 2012.

We arrive back at our hotel in Addis about 6:30.  For dinner, we make a quick trip to the nearby Beer Garden Inn restaurant, where we each enjoy some brats and sauerkraut for dinner….yes, that’s right, brats and sauerkraut in Ethiopia!

The morning comes early again…..7:15 departure to visit projects in another Mekane Yesus synod, Central Gibe DASSC.  W2T completed 11 projects with them in 2010 and we are funding another 11 in 2011.  Seven are now complete and the other four will be complete by the end of the year.

We arrive in the town of Ejaji, headquarters for the Synod offices at about 10:30 for a brief meeting with staff before heading to visit with the communities.

At each community, we were greeted with great enthusiasm and grateful hearts…..always expressed with a huge smile.  Each community expressed their gratitude and hospitality with the sharing of food and drink.  Celebrating with the communities is the most uplifting and motivating moments on the trip…..as shared in Katie’s thoughts that follow:

Profound Gratitude in the Central Gibe Synod – Kattie’s Reflection’s

“I don’t have many words to say except ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’”

Seven new water projects have recently been completed in the Central Gibe Synod by Mekane Yesus, benefiting almost 5,000 people. We had an opportunity to visit three of these projects today, and celebrate with the communities the blessing of clean water.

“We used to drink water that the animals used and it made us sick. Thank you for this clean water. Because of you, we are free from disease.”

Such a simple solution – capturing the water pouring out of the earth from a spring. Protecting it from being contaminated by animals or soil. Making it available and affordable to everyone in the community. Yet just a few short months ago, these communities were drinking from the same ponds used by animals and people alike. Filled with excrement, disease and dirt, it was their only choice.

“For this project, we thank God and we thank you. Whenever we use this water, we raise your name up to God.”

For this project, I also thank God. And you. And especially these communities, where in the face of a problem that seemed never ending, there was hope. They came together to make this project a reality.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to see the difference a well can make in the lives of so many people. I’m thankful there are compassionate people in this world moved to reach across an entire ocean to give people a chance at a better life.

This morning is off to an early start.  We meet our partners from Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission (MY-DASSC) at 7:30 to start a three hour drive to the community of Jido, south of Addis.  We, of course are caught in the Monday morning rush hour of Addis!

We first stop in Zeway, a town close to Jido that is the office of the local South Central Synod DASSC office.  Today we will be discussing the possibilities of a major pipeline extension project that could bring clean safe water to Jido, a community in desperate need.  If complete, the project would be a partnership with MY-DASSC, Food for the Hungry, the local community, the local water bureau and Water to Thrive.

Jido has a well, built by the government, but it is heavily contaminated by fluoride.  So much so, that it is unsafe for human consumption.  But, much of the year the community is forced to use this source because it is the only water available in the dry season.  At the depth of the dry season, the well often stops producing even the deadly water.

The possible solution is a pipeline extension from the community Bulbula, 16 kilometers away.  The area is blessed with a huge gushing spring (233 liters per second!).  The local water bureau has already tapped into 20% of this water flow and built a 500,000 liter reservoir to serve the area, so there is plenty of water, we just have to get it to Jido by the pipeline extension.

We spent about two hours with all the parties involved, listening to the challenges, the hopes and dreams to make this happen.  The community is 100% committed to assisting by providing labor for trenching.  The local water bureau appears cooperative to allow the connection to the water source.  MY-DASSC has firsthand experience with two other pipeline extensions in the area and is prepared to be the project manager.  And we have sponsors in Austin TX prepared to assist with the financial resources.  In addition, this pipeline extension passes 5 other communities along the route from Bulbula to Jido, so many more may have the blessing of safe water too!

While much remains to be done, we left Jido with our spirits high.  It seems that God’s hand has put the right pieces of the puzzle in front of us.  Now we must knit them together into a solution……allowing us to dream a bit about the possibility of having clean, safe sustainable water in Jido in 12-18 months.

We end the day spending the night in Ambo, completely on the opposite side of Addis Ababa……again hitting rush hour.  We arrive at 8:30 pm, exhausted, but our hearts filled with hope for Jido.

The W2T traveling group convened at Dulles airport on Saturday morning to board our Ethiopian Airlines direct flight to Addis Ababa.  The group this trip includes, Dick and Joyce Moeller, Homer Moeller (Dick’s brother) and Kattie Somerfeld, a representative from Lutheran World Relief.  Our flight was uneventful, leaving on time and arriving in Addis a few minutes early.

We were happy to see old friends from the Glimmer of Hope staff, who graciously met us at the airport and escorted us to our hotel.  We all managed a nice short nap and a chance to refresh before heading to the field with the Glimmer staff in the afternoon.

We headed SW out of Addis to visit our largest project, the Gedamba deep bore hole.  Completed about a year ago, this project serves about 8,000 community members, with a capacity of 15,000.  We visited four of the 11 water points and had a chance to visit with some of the community members in Kajima, one of the villages being served.  They all expressed great gratitude for their new source of clean water.  We also stopped by the pump house, where Kattie was able to “fire up” the diesel generator that runs the pump used to draw the water from a depth of more than 700 feet.

We also had a chance to interview four of the 10 women in the area that are participating in our pilot study to assess the use of the QDrum to transport water.  The women are all head of their household with 4-6 children.  The drums have been in use since May of 2011.  As you can see in the picture, the drums allow the women to roll the water instead of carrying it on their backs.  It also contains twice as much water than the jerry cans that are usually used.  The feedback from the women was positive on their use, especially since it had cut down by more than half the number of trips required by the women and their children.  In spite of a few minor issues, they seem to be a hit with the community, with more households asking to use them as well.  We plan to improve on the design based on this pilot and bring a batch of redesigned drums for testing in the Spring/Summer of 2012.

It was a very reflective moment as the day drew to a close and we headed back to Addis as dusk settled in over the Gedamba valley.  This day was indeed a dramatic contrast to our visit with this community for the first time three years ago, when we heard the story of their search for clean water.

This trip was amazing! The people of Ethiopia are so lovely, so happy and friendly. The fertile soil and mountainous terrain are beautiful, and the cooler temperatures at the higher elevations and the start of the rainy season were a refreshing change from the hot and dry Texas climate. It’s quite apparent that God has blessed Ethiopia and Ethiopians in so many ways.

However, it’s heartbreaking to see the women and children hauling heavy containers of water, in many cases polluted water from open streams used for all purposes by people and animals. In the US we take for granted a basic need that is keeping many Ethiopian women and girls, in particular, tied to transporting water over long distances rather than getting an education and otherwise working to improve their lives.

It’s clear that clean water from Water to Thrive wells is significantly improving lives in Ethiopia. Seeing the women, men, and children joining us as we approached well sites was such an awesome experience. What a delight it was to share their joy in having clean water! It was also so very meaningful to meet the women leaders on the Water Committees that are charged with sustaining the wells in their villages.

Since 2008 Water to Thrive has funded over 170 wells, an impressive accomplishment thanks to its many donors and Dick Moeller. But while the number of wells in Ethiopia has increased, the current ratio of two out of three Ethiopians not having a sustainable clean water source is disturbing.  Many more wells are needed at many more locations.

Blessings to Water to Thrive, its partner Glimmer of Hope, and all the donors for building a better life for Ethiopians. Because of this trip I will be a better steward of the clean water we are blessed to have available in the US, and a better steward in funding water projects for those in need. We can all help by providing funds for water wells, a start to a better life for Ethiopians, one village at a time.

Our fathers were farmers and we currently live in a rural farming community in Nebraska, so we were pleased that most of our W2T journey would be spent in rural Ethiopia.  We all know that Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries, where a large percentage of the population lives under the poverty line.  Millions of their people, predominantly in rural areas are often unsure how tomorrow’s meal will be provided.

In the Ethiopian countryside, where foreigners aren’t that common, people were curious, but always kind, quick with a smile and accepting of our intrusion into their lives.  Maybe they are more tolerant because there are so many different tribes, cultures, and languages in their country.  Maybe it’s just because they are a people proud of their country, history and culture.  I don’t know.  But I do know there are things we can learn from the Ethiopian people.

More than eight out of ten Ethiopians depend on small-scale farming and herding as their main livelihood.  Livestock is the single most important sign of status and wealth in rural Ethiopia.   Poor people in rural areas face a critical lack of basic needs such as health and educational facilities, veterinary services and most importantly, access to clean and safe drinking water.

Clean and safe drinking water is so common in our country, that most people take it for granted. However for the majority of those who live in rural Ethiopia, clean water is a luxury that is hard to come by, and is too important not to be addressed by those of us capable of assisting in providing this “gift of life” .

When we visited the rural communities, I (Bo) often wandered away from the crowd in hopes of speaking privately with individuals about their need for clean drinking water or in some situations, how the clean drinking water has affected their lives.  In one community, I talked to a middle-aged lady, using a school boy as an interpreter.  She stated after some delay, “There are no words adequate to reflect my thankfulness.  You have come to our community and lifted us out of a very sad situation.  We all feel born-again.  We can now wash our clothes in our village rather than walk to the river or carry the water home.  More important, we take better care of ourselves, including washing our hands and bathing regularly.  We have less skin diseases and don’t have to go to the clinics very often anymore, which saves time and allows us to be more concerned with other needs.”

Women and girls spend hours every day collecting water from distant sources, and in addition are expected to cook, collect firewood, and care for the sick, many of whom are suffering from water and sanitary-related diseases.  The impacts of a water project are immediate and obvious, but there are also indirect impacts.  If people are drinking safe water and using more water for improved hygiene practices, like washing hands, we expect less health issues and additionally, there will be less spreading of disease.  The resulting decrease in illness results in more work hours to provide food and income for families, and an increase in school attendance, and improved family interaction

Water to Thrive (W2T) has been active in rural Ethiopia for three years and financed more than 170 clean water projects for those most in need.  These water projects, may be deep bore wells, shallow bore wells, hand dug wells, or protected springs/reservoirs.  W2T has also assisted in rehabilitating water wells that were provided in years past by other organizations.  This leads to the work of W2T that I was most pleased to see. These other organizations put in wells, but they failed to insure sustainable clean and safe water.  Putting in a well does not provide sustainable, clean and safe water.  If the well breaks, the water becomes polluted.  The key to sustainability is a community involved in protecting its own health and welfare.  W2T and their Ethiopian implementing partners assist the communities in establishing Water Committees and teach the local villagers to operate the wells, fix the wells and train them on how to earn and save money to buy the spare parts needed for repairs.

The Water Committees in the rural communities are made up of a cross section of the citizens. Generally the committee is composed of 3 men and 3 women.  It is an honor for the committee members to serve their community and the members instill a sense of pride of ownership to their communities.  This guarantees sustainability of clean safe water for rural Ethiopia and is perhaps the best service that W2T donors can provide for Ethiopia.

This was my second trip to Ethiopia with Water To Thrive. Having more people in the traveling group lent richness to the experience. The whole spirituality of the group added immensely to learning about Ethiopia and about the rural people we encountered at the many water points. I felt positive about the Lutheran churches where members of the group normally worship.

Having our guide from Diversity Tours tell about the extra books of the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible was confusing to me—especially the Book of Mary. Jesus’ mother is said to have traveled to Ethiopia after the resurrection, where she is said to have performed many miracles. Just when I was most conflicted about these things, we stepped into the church built by Haile Selassie, in Axum—Saint Mariam. The acoustics there are fantastic! So, when I was showing some of our group about the communion “box,” (the priest(s) stand inside this elaborate box, and distribute communion to the worshippers) Bob Weisenburger began singing the Doxology very slowly, and with a deep, strong bass. We all stood in awe, as did several Orthodox women who were praying to Mary at the time. The mix of traditional artwork—like St. George killing the dragon, angels Raphael and Gabriel, a very black demon tempting some saint—and the oh, so moving rendition of that Doxology, just obliterated my conflicting thoughts. I felt Jesus’ Advocate lift me above the conflicts, ready to accept all as Christians, despite obvious differences. Would it be possible that American Lutherans can do the same? Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Another experience of which I never tire, is the welcome that whole communities give us as we approach the water sites W2T donors have provided. The sound of hundreds of voices saying “Welcome, welcome, welcome” and women “lu-lu-luing” in their high-pitched alleluias makes the bumpy car rides and rough walking worth so much. Of course, stories of less water-born diseases, and of more children attending school adds to the satisfaction. As usual, we ask the water committee to introduce themselves, especially proud of the women who serve in that capacity. Mary Lou Newman found ways to honor these women for their leadership.

When I taught teachers of nursing in the summers of 1995, 1996, 1997, and for the whole academic year of 1998-99, one of those learners was Tsehainesh. I recognized her leadership potential and encouraged her to move up to some administrative role. Well, she did so. As Director of the Mekele diploma nursing school, she wrote and got funded for a 3-story building to serve that school, and is presently a department head for the Relief Society of Tigray (REST). She fights for equal opportunities for women in all her endeavors.

And finally, I want to share some further about my traveling companions. It was on the Rock at Gheralta Lodge where as part of the daily devotion, we built an altar of stones. Each traveler added a stone to the altar while she/he told of a person who aided that person’s life of faith. It was a special bonding moment. And, even as we now go our separate ways, we will be close through our spiritual connections. Each time I take communion I will remember each and feel that connection. We are indeed, bonded together as Christians, and can strengthen that bond through what Jesus gave us.

Jim Sorensen

There has always been an interest in the needs of the African people – particularly in areas related to health and hunger, which continue to be epidemic issues in some parts of the continent.   I have supported these efforts over the years, yet never dreamed I would one day visit on the African continent – never until I learned of a trip planned to Ethiopia by former missionary Jim Sorenson with Water to Thrive.  Could I actually visit and see that part of the world I had long thought about and supported?  Yes I would go!

Arriving in Addis Ababa, however, I felt that I was stepping onto another planet!   The vastness alone of the city was overwhelming with over 6 million inhabitants.  But I was mistaken-it wasn’t another world, it was “home” for millions just like the United States is home to me. Yes, there are certainly differences, such as:

• the dwellings so small, and crowded together – with children, parents and small animals all sharing the same space.
• the beautiful mountainous area with golden wheat fields on many of the terraced levels all cultivated without mechanical equipment
• the farmer with his oxen and his homemade plow tilling the field in preparation for the anticipated rain and Spring planting
• the straw covered floor of the classroom with the ABC’s written on the wall
• the little donkeys and tall camels dutifully carrying their heavy loads as well as old and young men and women and children carrying on their backs water, branches or anything that needed to be moved
• the straw huts expertly constructed – some with carefully built rock fences
• everyone walking and children with their beautiful faces and radiant smiles frequently running barefoot over rocks and cultivated fields in the valleys and on the mountainous high ledges
• the respect for one another’s property – like their water cans, cattle, sheep, goats, and others animals and small plots of land
• the love and respect for their country’s Christian heritage, beliefs and practices
• the gentle nature and kind hearts of the Ethiopian people as demonstrated by our guide and driver and their respect for those who are older
• and in many areas the lack of clean water.

Clean water – something so basic and something I have taken for granted – until now. When I am thirsty I appreciate a drink of water – clean water, free of disease-carrying organisms. Many people in the areas we visited drew their water from the same ponds where their livestock walked and drank and did not have basic life-giving clean water until Water to Thrive and Glimmer of Hope began digging water wells there.

When visiting the areas where wells were functioning, villagers welcomed us and celebrated our mission with praise and thanksgiving through song, dance and words of appreciation.  It was truly remarkable yet humbling to see how such a fundamental necessity as access to clean water could stir up such powerful emotions and illustrates how clean well water is seen as a welcomed blessing by so many.

When I think of how small the world has become and consider all of humanity as God’s one big family, all brothers and sisters, all neighbors, I reflect on Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself”

One can wonder, how can I show my love for my neighbors in Ethiopia?

One way we can do this is to support and give to Water to Thrive.  I saw first hand what is being accomplished through the leadership of Water the Thrive’s founder Dick Moeller and all those who have contributed to this effort.  If one chooses to give support to his work from afar or to visit and see up close for oneself, it will be a blessed experience- an experience of a lifetime. It truly was just that for me.

Anne Kuempel

July 11, 2011

With the current drought and water crises in Texas, I have a greater appreciation of water; however, nothing as to how the Ethiopians feel about clean, safe water.  Only when we look back at 150 years or more can we even imagine such a great need for clean, safe water. As I enjoy my lengthy showers, water my thirsty lawns, or even brush my teeth, my thoughts are not about clean, safe water.  That is, not until I toured Ethiopia. At the beginning of the day for Americans in Ethiopia, I grab my water bottle to brush my teeth and drink clean, safe water.  Quickly, I became obsessed with having bottled water for I did not desire to be ill.

Where we traveled, the land is beautiful and mountainous with large rocks. Passing through the smoke filled villages, women are cooking outside their small, straw or tin roofed huts. On market days, numerous people are walking many miles with their extremely loaded beasts of burden (camels or donkeys) to town. Markets have many “stores” (a cloth filled with red peppers, children marketing roasted corn, tables filled with local items, or any place where food and other items can be sold.

Roadways everywhere are filled with people walking and herding animals (goats, sheep, cows and overloaded donkeys or camels). Frequently, our bus driver honks the horn to alert people and animals that a vehicle is coming. Women carrying jerry cans are scurrying many miles to draw much needed water for the day and make every clean or unclean water source a valuable resource. The highways are not always paved and may be dusty and covered with gravel that the Ethiopians have crushed by hand.

The joy and thanks of the Ethiopians was overwhelming when they gathered to thank us for bringing clean, safe water to their communities.  Entire communities including the many school children, priests and the water committee gathered to celebrate with song, dance, speeches, and food.

It is difficult to imagine that Christianity is such an important aspect of the people’s lives. Americans have so much but always want more.  Religion encompasses a most vital part of the Ethiopians’ lives.  Religious services are crowded with devote people who are extremely attentive.  A  Lutheran church in Addis was filled to capacity with each bench crowded with attendees.  Seeing 90+ children singing during the church service was indeed an inspiration. This was stewardship Sunday and yes, despite the poverty, the collection was to start a mission church.

On the plane from Ethiopia to Washington, D.C., I sat beside a woman who is Ethiopian born and lives sometimes in Ethiopia and other times in the U. S. Her parting words to me were: “Americans do not appreciate what they have.”  I agreed with her for we know not what we have and do not treasure our many resources.

I went to Ethiopia thinking that I was the missionary but returned to the United States knowing that the Ethiopians are the true missionaries.

Thank you for this opportunity to grow in my faith.

Dorothy Chesley