In 2008 we announced that EBA had committed to further funding of our work in Ethiopia through Partners in the Horn of Africa at the $50,000 per year level for an additional seven years. The EBA funding will focus on water projects in the West Gojjam region of Ethiopia. West Gojam has a greater scarcity of potable water than almost any other part of the world. Only 22% of the population has access to "improved" water. The rest are forced to rely on surface water that is dirty, often shared with livestock and often miles from the users. The EBA projects involve the protection of spring water or the installation of wells. Clean water projects save lives by reducing exposure to water born diseases and reduce the time girls need to spend carrying water, allowing them the time to go to school.

We are please to provide you with this report from John Baigent, Executive Director of Partners on the first year of this exciting program.

Partners in The Horn of Africa – John Baigent

I am pleased to provide the employees of EBA with this final report on the first year of the EBA West Gojjam water project.

The detailed report by village provided below is from Yehalem who administers all of our projects in Ethiopia. The Project has been a wonderful success and enhanced lives of many people in 12 very poor communities in rural Ethiopia.

The Canadian dollar goes a long way in Ethiopia when used on labor intensive projects. In each of these communities EBA has been able to achieve a profound change in the community. One that will eliminate diseases and make lives a little bit easier.

I understand from Yehalem that the process of selection for next year's facilities is well underway.

I would like to express our gratitude for EBA's assistance to your Board and to all of the employees of EBA

John

Partners in the Horn of Africa – Yehalem Water Projects

Here is a village by village summary of the EBA water projects undertaken in 2009 and early 2010.

Wonderit ( Guay Wubshet Kebele)

Water was found at a depth of 14.5 meters and a total of 195 villagers have been accessing safe water close to their homes for over 9 months now.

Gedi (Guay Wubshet Kebele)

This 14.5 meter deep hand-dug well was finalized in April 2009 and has since been serving a total of 290 villagers.

Guay Wonderit School

This well is serving 1,110 students who are attending grades 1-8 and their teachers and other staff members. The availability of adequate water nearby has encouraged the school to start vegetable gardening in the school compound and teach students on how to grow vegetables and earn additional income.

Gulit Mender (Wobesh Kebele)

Water was found at 4.5 meters and the construction was finalized in early May 2009. For over seven months now not less than 335 villagers have been enjoying safe and clean water with in less than 1.5 km radius from home.

Kes Amba (Wobesh Kebele)

The villagers of kes Amba found adequate water after digging 8 meters down by the end of April 2009. After concrete rings were inserted and a hand-pump installed, a total of 350 persons have been enjoying clean water as of early May, 2009.

Laks (Aba Som Kebele)

This well which is 8 meters deep and serving 330 persons It was among the wells that were finished early (April 2009).

Lay Sankisata (Kuni Sankista Kebele)

This well has been serving clean water to 330 villagers since May 2009. It is 5.5 meters deep and has a laundry facility too.

Jamirta (Kuni Sankista Kebele)

The villagers had to dig 9 meters down to get what is considered by the water office as adequate water (2 m2 in 24 hours). This well is reportedly used by the highest number of persons: 660.

Goshmewgia Spring, Lay Amba Village

This is an impressive site from engineering point of view as the area is not easy for construction. The water goes through loose rocks and then by pipe some 250 meters further by gravity where there is relatively a good spot for water point. A villager agreed his farmland (where he had coffee trees) to be used for constructing the water point. Because there is a very good flow, there was no need for constructing a reservoir. Apart from the clean water, washing basins and 4 villagers can wash their clothes at a time. The spring serves over 250 persons.

Ambo Wuha (Jiga Yelmidar Kebele)

This is a new spring under construction. Because of the convenience of the location, this spring will have a water point, washing slab (laundry) and shower facility for the villagers. Not less than 300 villagers are expected to benefit from the facilities.

Koskuasit (Kuni Sanksta Kebele)

Like the Gosh Mewgia spring, the discharge of Koskuasit spring too was found to be high and there was no need for a reservoir. This spring serves around 280 villagers.

Guder Spring (Berkegn Berbegn Kebele)

This is the other spring protection facility under construction. It is expected to serve around the same number of villagers as Ambo Wuha spring.

Assessment of Progress to Date:

One could safely say that the first year performance was a huge success. By using artisans as opposed to general contractors we saved at least 20%. By making available a construction consultant on site to demonstrate how spring capping and other structures are done the the project has contributed towards building the capacities of artisans and the Gojam Woreda water office experts. Establishing water committees well in advance in all sites has enabled to easily mobilize community contributions in full and before construction commenced and raise monies for maintenance and repair before the wells and springs were complete. All villages have fenced their respective wells and a member of the water committee supervises the proper use of the facilities at specific times fixed by villagers for fetching water. Digging wells during the dry seasons (April and May) allowed all wells to provide water all year round.

Reforestation Projects

The reforestation project involved using the funds raised by EBA employees to plant about 67,000 trees in an area of severe erosion on the top of a mountain. The EBA employee funding was also used to hire people from the nearby villages to look after the site by weeding around the seedlings and by keeping the animals form grazing in the area. The difference in the site in less than a year is very dramatic. The trees are almost a meter high and the vegetation growth over the site is very impressive. The area is stating to be home for birds and small animals. The people from the villages around the site are very proud of the project and the amazing change and they want to expand the site this year.

Bridge Projects

Ralph Evert's and his Group in Vancouver have been providing support to Partners in The Horn of Africa in the design of bridge structures. They have looked at the bridge that Partners built over the Ayu River and are proposing some structural reinforcing for the bridge. They are also reviewing the design that Partners has had done for building a bridge over the Little Nile River.