Building a better Ethiopia

The reality in Ethiopia is that many don’t have access to the basic facilities that many of us take for granted, including water, shelter and sanitation. Against this backdrop it is very difficult for people to work themselves out of poverty as they face a daily struggle to simply survive. By providing for basic needs, a platform for progress and development is given.

Today (19/10/07) we visited one of our partner projects who strongly advocate this approach and are working in some of the poorest kebeles in Addis Ababa, dramatically improving basic living conditions. We were taken to a number of new houses and community facilities that have been constructed using Ethiopiaid’s funding and were able to meet and talk with the beneficiaries living there, most were either elderly or disabled.

Simple facilities such as community latrines, kitchens and homes are making a dramatic impact on people’s lives. In 2007, Ethiopiaid also provided funding for a new truck for the project to transport building materials. Previously this was all done using mules or simple manpower – they are now able to expand the reach of the areas they can work in and provide construction solutions faster and more efficiently so that more can be helped.

We have now come to the end of what has been a very successful visit to Ethiopia. We have been extremely impressed by the work being done by our partner projects and have also identified several key areas in which the kind support of our donors will enable us to make real change for the better. On behalf of all our partner projects – we thank you!