Return to a Dry and Thirsty Land

When I met these Borena men in southern Ethiopia in February, we were celebrating the dedication of a surface water collection system that provided the first sustainable water source in their region.  In fact, we’re sitting on the lid of the cistern that holds the water, and you can see the pump behind us.  Little did I know that day, that this site would soon be near the epicenter of an international humanitarian crisis of terrifying proportions.   It estimated that more than 10 million people are at risk of malnutrition – or worse – as a result of the drought and famine in East Africa.  While the minimal news coverage has focused on the Somali refugees along the Kenyan border, the truth is that the impacts are being felt over many thousands of square miles in at least five nations, including this arid region of Ethiopia.   The Borena people are pastoral, and lead their cattle over vast distances in search of water and pasture.  The loss of countless livestock due to dehydration and starvation this year has had a devastating effect on the food supply and income of these proud people.   For more information, see http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93247

This water system is part of the USAID-funded project that Lifewater International and the Mekane Yesus church have been conducting over the past two years.  I’ve had the privilege of participating in three training trips in that project.  Now USAID has extended its funding, and I have been invited to lead another trip in October.  The focus will be on training teachers in Lifewater’s WASH in Schools (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) curriculum.  Why are we concentrating on schools during such a crisis?  First, children are the most vulnerable to water-borne disease.  Ironically, many of the deaths from the current drought have been children who suffered from acute diarrhea.  Second, the lessons in this curriculum include such topics as making and keeping water safe, and practicing good sanitation and hygiene with limited access to clean water.  The USAID/Lifewater/Mekane Yesus project in Hossana, Ethiopia, which focused solely on sanitation and hygiene, contributed to reductions of up to 90% in the incidence of severe diarrhea in children.  Third, education is the foundation of hope in this region.  The man shaking my hand told us with a smile, “Now that we have water, the government will build us a new school!”  Finally, Jesus leaves us no alternative when he says, “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”  (Matthew 18:5)

By now you all know my Amharic name, Tesfalem – “hope for the world”.  I continue to have great hope in the midst of this seemingly overwhelming crisis, because I place my hope in a merciful and loving God.  I am grateful to Him for giving me an opportunity to play a very small part in His work in this beautiful land, and I’m giving you the opportunity to help as well.  First, please pray – not just for me or the project, but for the people of East Africa and long-term, sustainable solutions to these problems.  Second, because this is my third trip to Africa this year, I very much need your support in finances as well.  Please contact me by email (h2otox@hotmail.com ) if you'd like to learn more about how to help. 

I can promise you that the only “handout” these people are looking for is the hand with which I reached out to them in that picture – a hand of partnership and love.  Please add your hand to the picture in whatever way you can.  Thank you, and may God richly bless you for your faithfulness.

                                                                                                      Jim (Tesfalem)

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.  The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. (Psalm 65:9)