Partners: Tsedeke Desalegn chats to participants at the Farming Training Centre
ForAfrika is supporting existing structures to improve food production and security
Mengistu Dinote
Last year, ForAfrika was drawn to marginalised communities in Ethiopia that are struggling to survive. We opened an office earlier this year and, working with local government and community NGOs, we have launched a one-year project in the Konso district aimed at improving food security, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and climate resilience.
The area has experienced ongoing drought for the past four years and many children and women are suffering from acute malnutrition.
“We will prioritise climate-smart, nutrition-dense vegetable gardening and agroforestry – so we’ll plant trees that produce fruit and shade,” says Tsedeke Desalegn, Country Director, adding that the organisation is also investing in tree nurseries. “We will also endeavour to rehabilitate the land.
Supporting local efforts
“We are working with trusted organisations already at grassroots level. We are not imposing our ideas, we are merely supporting their own efforts,” he continues.
Partnering with Farming Training Centres (FTCs), ForAfrika is giving financial and technical support with a focus on “model and innovative” farmers who receive seeds, tools, and technologies to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. The model farmers then share these practices with the broader community through demonstration and peer learning.
ForAfrika recently rehabilitated a borehole pump near to one of the FTCs in the Jarso district, immediately bringing clean water to the people there.
“As always, when water is pumping, everyone is happy. The government has been awesome in their support too,” says Charles Wentzel, Emergency Response Director.
A solar pump has now been installed which makes water collection that much easier. The water can be used for domestic use, watering livestock and irrigation.
Water brings joy
Ayana Gelegelo is a young girl who is very happy that she can now get water from near her home. Previously, she had to fetch water from a river that was quite a distance away. In her community it is the duty of the women and girls to collect water.
Similarly, Dinote Aylate, who has many children and grandchildren, said she is overjoyed at the water supply since the water they could get was not very clean.
“I thank God for bringing the ForAfrika team to provide clean water,” she says.
With more support, the programme in Ethiopia will be able to expand into different regions and sectors.
Mengistu Dinote is Finance and Administration Officer in Ethiopia
