13th May, 2011
Chalebya's story
Chalebya Madono is a Community Elder from South Omo, one of the most remote areas of Ethiopia. AMREF works with Elders such as Chalebya to ensure that health programmes are developed which are appropriate and fully meet the needs of the community.
"We used to have to walk a long way for water when the rains did not come. The women left at 5am every morning to get to the river and didn’t return till 10. And this was the river which animals used and trucks drove through. Many people got dysentery.
I have lived here for many years and feel very responsible for my community, and felt terrible I couldn’t do anything to change this. But all did change when AMREF provided a new water pump. I believe AMREF was sent by God. We are so happy, I cannot tell you. Just to have clean, running water readily available feels such a luxury still. It is amazing it has now happened."
Find out more about AMREF's health projects in South Omo