Our Plan
Our plan to bring clean water to Jido involves a partnership of a number of groups: Hope in Ethiopia, Water 2 Thrive, Food for the Hungry, Mekane Yesus, the Jido community, and the Zeway water district. Together we are working to assess the most cost effective way to reach as many people within the community. Initial studies have indicated that water wells and water catchment systems are not viable options for this area given the location within the Rift Valley and the size of the community. We believe a viable solution is to run water from a natural spring located in the town of Bulbula (12 miles to the east). The first step is to get a formal study done to assess the feasibility, cost, and time needed for the project. That process in now in motion.
Where We Are At
Our plan involves a partnership of a number of groups: Hope in Ethiopia, Water 2 Thrive, Food for the Hungry, Mekane Yesus, the Jido community, and the Zeway water district. Together, we hope to bring clean water to the people of Jido. The first step is to get a formal study done to assess the feasibility, cost, and time needed for the project. That process in now in motion.
How You Can Help
We will not know the total cost of the project until the initial study is complete, but we have started to raise funds for the project. The initial study will cost about 15,000 birr (about $1,000 US). We want to raise this money outside of the normal fundraising we do for the orphans so we ensure that their needs continue to be met. We would love to have you involved in helping us raise the funds. To help in that, we have created a program with “mini jerry cans”.
Here’s How it Works:
- Think of a community you are involved in that you could get on board to help Jido (e.g. your school, your girl scout troop, your church small group, your neighbors)
- Send us a note and tell us you want to be involved. We will contact you about delivering you jerry cans.
- Get your group together and tell them about Jido.
- Distribute the jerry cans and ask the team to save their change for a certain period of time (we suggest 8 to 10 weeks). Also challenge them to contribute additional funds into the can from sacrificing something. Example, give up sodas for a week and just drink water – contribute the money they would have spent on soda.
- Collect the jerry cans, cash in the change, and send us a check. When you are at that point, send us a note and we will let you know where to send the check to.
About Jido
Jido is a remote town located in the southwest portion of the Zeway region of Ethiopia. It is a dry, desolate place with little vegetation to speak of. The survival of Jido is heavily dependent on the short rainy season during which they are able to grow crops. Given the drought experienced in recent years, the food supply of Jido has been significantly stressed. Additionally, Jido’s current water supply has excessive levels of salt and fluoride. This high mineral content creates health issues for the people of this town; especially the children (high fluoride is what turns their teeth brown).
Food for the Hungry plays an active role in this community by providing food supplies, social workers, and additional community support. It is also one of the five towns in the Zeway region where Hope in Ethiopia is actively working.
