Ethiopia

Act for Peace in Ethiopia

Act for Peace’s partner, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter-church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC), is working to help rural communities end the cycle of extreme poverty. To accomplish this, we have helped create programs that focus on environmental rehabilitation, improved agriculture, access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. By focusing on people’s health needs, we can help create healthier communities.

During 2008, we helped train people to dig wells and latrines, providing individuals with skills that will enable them to generate an income for their families and stabilise their communities. This same training program also provided 8,000 people with access to clean water. This is extremely significant, since only 11% of the rural population in Ethiopia has access to an adequate water source. In fact, this program has increased access to water in the areas we work from 3.8% to 70%, reaching more than 58,000 Ethiopians.

The project has also distributed almost one million seedlings in order to prevent desertification and strengthen soil nutrition. By empowering communities through community planning, establishing community-oriented groups, public gatherings, and encouraging communities to manage their own projects, EOC-DICAC and Act for Peace are allowing people to regain control of their situation and work toward a more promising future.

And for the women of Ethiopia, the work of EOC-DICAC has resulted in a rapid decline in rape and abduction as fewer young women take risky long journeys to collect water.

“There are many stories of families and whole communities greatly improving their quality of life. It makes my job very rewarding. Thank you for supporting us” – Haftu Woldu, Director of EOC-DICAC.

A Story From Our Partners

“Selam. My name is Bezualem Liqu. I am 18 years old and live in the Amhara region of Ethiopia with my parents, three brothers and one sister.

Before we built the hand dug well with the support and training of DICAC, I had to collect water for my entire family from an unprotected well. In our community, we carry water using large clay pots roped to our backs, which weigh more than 12 kilograms when full. The previous well was much further away and I would have to spend much time carrying water back to my family.

When we used to drink from the old well, my siblings and I would get sick with stomach aches, diarrhoea and other water borne diseases. I would miss school and couldn’t help my family at home with chores.

Together with the community, DICAC helped us dig the well. DICAC also brought people from nearby communities who had built wells share with us their positive experiences. They told us about their better health and how we can take care of our well.

Everyone in the community takes turns cleaning the area around the well. When it is my turn, I clean out the mud and scoop excess water away from the well to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. A few years ago, Malaria severely spread throughout our community.

Amasegenalhu (Thank you), Act for Peace Partners, for helping to better our community. Because of the new well, I am healthy, have more time and can now attend school!”

- Bezualem

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