At a time of great global uncertainty, political unrest, regional locust swarms and deadly local landslides, HOPE is more committed than ever to our mission to provide clean water access to marginalised communities.
HOPE’s provision of skills to earn needed money, grow necessary food and practice good public health are all the more vital and timely.
This 18-month project in Harbir included the five proven components of HOPE’s development work:
1) The provision of local clean water to 2,615 all men, women, and children of the community.
2) Health, hygiene and sanitation education provided to ensure that everyone knows how to make healthy lifestyle decisions, including establishing proper hand washing habits, safe sanitation and personal hygiene training provided for each household to build their own pit latrine.
3) Basic entrepreneurial and business training delivered to women in groups of 20 women each. In Harbir, this was for 200 women in total. These Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are about empowering women to play a significant role in their families and community and to help them to lift themselves out of poverty.
4) Training for 100 of the poorest households to improve agricultural productivity, such as growing crops that can adapt to changing weather patterns due to climate change; the provision of seeds, fruit trees and resources required for SHGs to set up nurseries; plus the provision of bee hives for 25 landless families, plus
5) Environmental protection for increase climate resistance, e.g. the planting of 5,000 trees and community-built dam.
Sadly, heavy rain created a delay in the construction of the Harbir water system. The unpredictable weather led to road access problems to the project site and a small landslide hindered the delivery of construction materials. Eventually, all of the water points became operational and the pipeline was laid so everyone obtained local access to clean water.
Even though construction was delayed, other investments in the community were started on time. One example was the provision of improved seeds and fruit tree seedlings to 100 local farmers for both a means of income and environmental projection. HOPE staff also started the agricultural training for improved agricultural benefits with an increased variety of vegetables and fruit. With the new water system, the farmers are now able to easily water their new crops, leading to an increased yield for improved health and increased income.
Similarly, the Self Help Groups were started, with 120 women volunteers who desired to learn basic business skills and start their own small businesses. All of SHG members have now started a small business, using their new skills and time. By playing an active part in earning money for their household, these women are witnessing a significant improvement gender equality in their community.
HOPE's investment in Harbir concluded in December 2023.
