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ETHAN DONNELL
Last Updated 11:23, 8 July 2018
Ethan Donnell / UNICEF
The Legacy of Precious Water in Amhara, Ethiopia
Unicef ends up with about $ 2 million in the will of a woman from Auckland, known only as Jennifer, who wanted to fund a water project to help the people. children in Ethiopia. By donating her house to Unicef, she was able to fulfill her charity vows. The water system that she has financed now brings clean, pressurized water to 34,000 people in the villages.
In rural Ethiopia, the name of a woman from Auckland became a legend after her generosity changed the lives of tens of thousands of people.
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In Ethiopia, less A quarter of schools have appropriate water facilities and less than a third of health facilities in the country have a source of water.
They only know her as Jennifer – and that 's all they know about her. Jennifer died two years ago and anonymously bequeathed her Remuera property to Unicef.
She thought her property was worth about $ 400,000. By the time everything was finalized, her property was worth more than $ 2 million, and everything was used to help women and children on the other side of the world.
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Enanu (left) and Banchayehu (right) walked every day to fetch water, but that changed after a donation from Auckland 's L & # 39; UNICEF has funded a clean and pressurized water system that supplies 34,000 people to Ethiopia.
Jennifer traveled throughout the Horn of Africa in her younger years and Ethiopia, in particular, left her with a lasting impression. As her ended, she decided that she wanted to give back.
The proceeds of Jennifer's estate have since been poured into a huge water project in the Ethiopian highlands. Today, 34,000 people in five villages have access to clean, pressurized water. The difference made by this infrastructure changes lives, especially for women and children – who bear the brunt of water collection tasks.
A woman, Enanu Kbada, says she led an almost nocturnal existence before the construction of the water system,
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Enanu and Banchayehu are now part of a "We had to get up at 1 or 2 am to queuing for fetch of water, but now we have plenty of water, enough for everyone – and us "
Before the construction of the water supply system, people had to rely on sources unprotected water, such as springs or surface water, prone to waterborne diseases and often very far away.
sometimes spend 17 hours a day
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Unicef Representative for Ethiopia Gillian Mellsop – born and raised in New Zealand – holds a pack of Meskel daisies at the inauguration of the new water system [19659010] Another woman from the same village, Banchayehu, remembers once she was pregnant and physically unable to finish
"When I was pregnant, the doctor m … said I could not do big jobs for three months. I could not get water during this time because I was not able to carry it. "
She counted on the grace of her family members during those three months."
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Enanu and Banchayehu were 20-liter jerry cats up and down on the mountainous terrain of the Ethiopian highlands.
"Now, because of the water pipe, we have no problem and everyone is treated the same way."
Across Ethiopia, less than a third of health facilities have a nearby water source. Alemayehu Rete is a health worker at a nearby clinic, and now says having a protected water source prevents the spread of the disease.
"There are different waterborne diseases in this region, the most common is diarrhea, the water is contaminated and diseases spread more easily."
"I think this is water system will go hand in hand to solve this problem in this community. "
Jennifer's gift will not only benefit people living in villages. The water supply system is expected to last several generations and the positive impact for younger generations is already being felt.
Semegn Asnake, 13, had a habit of walking to fetch water during her lunch break at school
We would be bored because we would be late in clbad ", she says. "It's very hard to concentrate in the clbadroom without water."
The road to the nearest water source would take her through two dark forests. The canopy of the forest is dense and single girls are often attacked. Semegn heard the stories, even though she herself was never attacked.
The task of collecting water is now much shorter. A tap with running water is not more than 500 meters away for any villager.
With the new luxury of free time, Semegn enjoys doing homework before sundown and hopes to be a teacher someday. She is happy that her younger brothers and sisters never have to carry out this arduous journey as she did.
Gillian Mellsop, Unicef representative in Ethiopia, was born and raised in New Zealand. With decades of experience in international development, her work has led her all over the world and she is especially excited that the project is providing water to six schools as well as to three health facilities.
"This means that children can go to school" It also means that health facilities can provide quality services to mothers and children, and to the community as a whole. "
says that the monthly cost to provide these services is only about $ 6 per person – less than the price of two coffees in New Zealand.
She also says that local people want to know more about Jennifer. Who was she? Why did she think of Ethiopia? Was she aware of the difference she would make? Even though details on her are rare, the impact of Jennifer has been enormous.
Belsti Ersaw, who worked on the installation of the pumps, said that people were dubious when the concept of the project was unveiled for the first time. But when they saw the water gushing from the tap, they were very happy. "
He says that the local people have formed a committee, to take ownership of the system and work with the local government to ensure ongoing maintenance.] And although this dream started with a woman who was not there. Auckland named Jennifer, that does not stop there.
Banchayehu and Enanu are both members of the maintenance committee, along with several other women from the villages
walking every day to fetch water. water and were now taking steps to make sure this does not happen again.
Jennifer's generosity has changed countless lives. And although they know little beyond her name, the Ethiopian people that she helped will never forget her kindness.
This article was provided as part of a partnership with Unicef New Zealand .Unicefstands for every child so that they can have a childhood, leave a legacy for the children today
This article was provided as part of Stuff 's partnership with Unicef NZ. UNICEF is mobilizing for all children so that they can have a childhood. Learn more at unicef.org.nz
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