What We Do

HOPE has been working in Ethiopia for 40 years. The approach we have adopted for our clean water projects has been refined over four decades to ensure that people get the help they need in order to transform their lives and free themselves from poverty.

When we start a water project a team moves into the village and camps amongst the local people for nearly six months. The team consists of a hydro-geologist, engineers and other specialists that will lead the building work. This team is responsible for capping a nearby spring that will bring clean water to the village. These springs can be as much as 7 km away from the village. They are also responsible for managing the building of a water reservoir in the village as well as wash and water points that are accessible for the community. They also manage the digging of the trenches and laying of water pipes, which carry the capped, clean water into the village using a gravity-led system. Finally, they also provide guidance on latrine building. 

Importantly, the local community plays a large part in the building work. They are involved in the digging of the trenches that will carry the clean water from the capped spring to their village. They also provide the labour for the building of the wash and water points and latrines.

In addition, another HOPE team will be living and working in the village. In this team is a Community Worker who will work to establish a Water Committee with people from that village to look after the water points, latrines, and will ensure there is fair access. They will help to establish a new system where the Water Committee collects monies from the villagers that will pay for any upkeep. HOPE requires 50% of this committee to be women. In the HOPE team there is also a Health Worker that will go door to door to teach each household about hygiene and sanitation. They will also hold community meetings to ensure that behaviour changes and health improves. 

These two teams live in the village to model good hygiene. They are all Ethiopians but most likely from another part of the country or the capital. After the six-month process is complete, the teams will move on to the next project in a neighboring village. As they will remain relatively local, their expertise can still be called upon if necessary. The evaluation of improved health and changed behaviours will carry on for many months and years. For example, health clinics will monitor a reduction in eye inflections and stomach bugs and diseases.