Written by Aman Ararso (West Arsi branch Project Coordinator) and Ashenafi Abreham, Skybird WASH Network Facilittor at AutRC

Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) West Arsi branch implemented the II cycle Skybird micro-project in Kokkosa district from January 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022, with an aim to accomplish three results in the area of WASH and livelihood to promote the supply of potable water, sanitation and hygiene practices and also improving the living conditions of socially and economically vulnerable target beneficiaries. 

  • Result 1: Increasing access to potable water supply for 400 HHs and Improved awareness of beneficiaries on hygiene behavior and sanitation facilities
  • Result 2: Improving capacity of different beneficiaries to bring change on gender equality, inclusion and diversity among local communities.
  • Result 3: Increasing food security, employment opportunities, market access and generating incomes for economical vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly women; and others.

 The following main activities were implemented under each result of the micro-project:

Result 1: Increased access to potable water supply for 400 HHs and Improved awareness of beneficiaries on hygiene behavior and sanitation facilities

Construction of 2 Hand Dug Wells

Construction of two hand dug wells began on June 2022 and was completed on September 2022 of the project implementation month. These 2 newly installed hand-dug wells are expected to solve the problem encountering in the Diki Hora Kebele particularly in Diki sefera and Hatiyo sub villages in the area of hygiene and potable water.

Maintaining nonfunctional handpumps

Four nonfunctional hand pumps in DikiHora Kebele were maintained. To ensure its sustainability, the community formed water management committee and fence was fixed around the hand pumps as a measure of source protection. Maintenance tools was provided to the established water management technical team, and the district Water Office. Two days awareness creation training on water use and management was given to the water management committee members. Two days technical maintenance training was given to the committee members by a technical expert from Kokkosa District Water and Energy Office.

Awareness creation training on hygiene and sanitation practices for targeted beneficiaries

Two days awareness creation training on hygiene and sanitation practices were conducted at DikiHora Kebele May 5-6, 2022 for 30 (15 female) targeted beneficiaries. ERCS West Arsi branch organized the training together with other stakeholders. The training was delivered by Kokkosa District Water and Energy WASH focal person.

Conducted two hygiene and sanitation promotion campaigns at kebele level.

West Arsi zone RC branch, in collaboration with Kokkosa District Health Office, conducted hygiene and sanitation promotion campaign in Diki Hora Kebele on 27, February 2022, where around 750 (400 Female) residents participated on the event. Invited Health Physician from Kokkosa Hospital provided awareness on hygiene and sanitation to the community. The 2nd round of sanitation and hygiene promotion campaign was organized in Diki Hora Kebele on March 19, 2022 and 500 (300F) participants attended the campaign.

Result 2: Improved capacity of different beneficiaries to bring change on  gender equality ,inclusion and diversity among  local communities.

Four discussions and review events with 50 men of the target group on the gender equality and mainstreaming conducted.

The issue of addressing gender equality and mainstreaming is not only limited to women but it should include the active participation of men. To realize this, 4 events were organized in Diki Hora kebele under the II cycle Skybird micro-project. The discussion on gender equality and inclusion was led by the local elders and religious leaders. Kokkosa District Skybird project site staff members and and key stakeholders facilitated the events.

 

Frist discussions and review event

On 27, February 2022

50 men (local elders, Abba Gadas, religious leaders, kebele members) participated

Second discussions and review event

On May 8, 2022

59 men (local elders, Abba Gadas, religious leaders, kebele members) participated

Third discussions and review event

July 19, 2022

50 men (local elders, Abba Gadas, religious leaders, kebele members) participated

Fourth discussions and review event

September 17, 2022

52 men (local elders, Abba Gadas, religious leaders, kebele members) participated

 Supported 5 PWDs with supportive appliances (wheelchairs and Crunches).

On July 20, 2022, ERCS West Arsi branch purchased and provided mobility devices (1 Wheel chair and 4 Crunches) were provided for 5(2 female) people with disability (PWD) beneficiaries in Diki Hora asministration. 

Organized one awareness creation training on gender diversity and inclusion

Gender diversity and inclusion training was organized by the branch staff members  for 60(25F) participants. Gender expert from the Kokkosa District Women and Children affairs office delivered the training. Diki Hora administrative staff, community representatives, religious leaders, local elders and government office representatives participated the training.

Result 3: Increasing food security, employment opportunities, market access and generating incomes for economical vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly women; and others.

Strengthening of livelihood of economically and socially vulnerable parts of the community members was one of the activities under the II Skybird micro-project. To achieve this, the following activities were conducted.

Procured and provided agricultural tools for 70 target HHs (50% women HHs), improved vegetable seeds for 70 economical vulnerable HHs (50%F), pesticides for 70 HHs (50%F) distributed.

100 gardening hoes were purchased and provided to the 100(50F) economical vulnerable persons, who were selected by the Diki Hora kebele local community.

Improved vegetable seeds (Beetroot, Carrot and Cabbage) and agricultural tools were provided to 70 (35 F) economically vulnerable project beneficiaries, after conducting need assessment  with  Kokkosa district Agricultural Office expert. 

Two days training given on the’ ERI’ approach for 70 household (70(35F)) beneficiaries  The training was delivered by an expert from the Kokkosa District Agricultural Office.

250 sheep purchased and distributed tor 50 vulnerable women and disabled persons (5 sheep/person). Ahead of this process, based on a set of criteria, 50 eligible beneficiaries were selected through community engagement. The branch worked with relevant stakeholders. West Arsi zone Red Cross branch office wrote requesting letter to West Arsi zone Cooperative and Promotion Office, requesting to get potential and experienced union, who would be able to purchase ruminants (Sheep) for the project beneficiaries. Sheep purchaser committee that include the district Agricultural Office (Veterinarian), Kokkosa district gender team leader, and from the project beneficiaries were formed. The committee selected a union purchased 250(50 male) (200 Ewes and 50 lambs)  sheep and provided for the 50 project beneficiaries to empower economical vulnerable women of Diki Hora kebele.

The common sheep (ruminants) diseases of Diki Hora Kebele was identified by the Kokkosa District Agricultural Office expert. These were 5 diseases: internal parasites, external parasites, pneumonia, mastitis and ovine pasturollosis. 5 types of sheep medicines purchased:  Albendazole 300 mg (20 boxes), Ivermectin (80 vials), Fasnex 250 mg(16 boxes),Tetraclozan 900 mg(17 boxes)and Oxy Tetra Cycline 10%(50 vials). The purchased drugs, were delivered to the project beneficiaries.

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The closing ceremony of the II Cycle Skybird micro-project took place on November 25, 2022 in Kokkosa district, where beneficiaries members, local elders, religious leaders ,kebele  structures, relevant and concerned district stakeholders attended.