Living Water

ETHIOPIA—Kimpe Village, Lake Langano
GPS: 07 31.826 N; 038 48.465 E

The communities on the southern shore region of Lake Langano in the Rift Valley are considered some of the poorest people in Ethiopia. They live marginalized lives and support their families as subsistence farmers. Most people are drinking water from streams and rivers full of sediment and bacteria. During the rainy season there are large outbreaks of diarrhea. Serving in Mission, or SIM (a non-governmental organization established in the early 1900s), operates a clinic in this area and reports that a majority of the illnesses they treat are water borne in nature.

LWI-Ethiopia and its partner Selam Water is Life are working in collaboration with the government, local leadership, and SIM to improve access to safe water.

Achieving the behavioral change that is needed alongside access to clean water is a major challenge in this area. The Arsi people are known to be resistant to change, and many of the men are (at best) indifferent to the positive changes that can be of particular help to the women and children. However, there are encouraging signs of acceptance to the wells, both as improved water sources and as economic opportunities for things like irrigation and brick making.

New wells in villages like this one are inspiring community-based movements for real transformation. Clean water is washing away the resistance. And when the community gets involved, that’s when change—lasting change—can truly happen.