21. March 2024
Interviewer and author: Gutema Mamo, CACH Ethiopia
Photo credit: Duressa Negera, CACH Ethiopia
In 2023, the Blue Schools approach was introduced in Danisa Kerkero Primary School by Caritas Switzerland. In the interviews below, Mako and Ibrahim tell us what has changed and what their lives are like now.
Mako Sultan Mohammed, a 20-year-old, 7th grade student at Danisa Kerkero Primary School, responded as follows:
How was your life before 2023? Life was hard for us because we had no water near our home or school. Every day, I had to walk for almost an hour to find water. And then I had to wait in a long line to fill my bucket. I missed many classes because of this. I am from a large family with 10 children, and we never had enough water at home for all the needs. It meant that I had no water to wash myself or my clothes. I felt dirty and ashamed. Also, I hated going to school when I had my period because there was no place to change or clean my pads. I felt embarrassed, was scared and worried that I would fall further behind in my studies.
What changed? Caritas Switzerland fixed the old water pump and brought water to our school with solar power. Now we have water in our school compound. We have four taps for drinking and cooking, three taps for washing our hands close to the latrines, and a special room for menstrual hygiene management (MHM).
How does this affect your life now? The MHM room changed my life. Now, I have a safe and private place to take care of myself. I have water to wash my pads and a place to dry them. I feel happy and confident. I can focus on my education.
Caritas Switzerland also taught us how to plant trees in our school compound. They said that trees would make our environment better and fight desertification. I love seeing the green leaves and flowers. I hope to sit under the shade of the trees and read my books soon.
Water is like a mother to me because it gives me life and comfort and it makes me healthy and strong. I want to protect the water and teach the younger children how important water is. I want to celebrate water every day!
I am very thankful to Caritas Switzerland for bringing us water and improving our lives. May Allah bless them and reward them.
I want to celebrate water every day”
says Mako Sultan Mohammed
The second interview was done with Ibrahim Gada Bura, a 45-year-old resident of Danisa Kerkero and father of 11 children:
How was your life before 2023? My family had to walk a long distance to get water from Danisa River. The water was contaminated and caused diseases like diarrhea and cholera. My children were afflicted by these illnesses, but we had no alternative than to use the river water.
What changed? A water source near to our house was established by Caritas Switzerland and we (the community) built a fence around the water source, solar panel and the waterpoint.
How does this affect your life now?I serve as a water committee member and I’m in charge of opening the water taps according to the agreed schedule. Further, we are collecting a water fee of 1 ETB per 20 liters (ca. 2 US cents) to maintain and protect the water system. As a water committee member, I have the responsibility of motivating and educating the community to preserve and improve the water structures. My family’s hardship is over and I want to thank the organization once more.
My family’s hardship is over”
says Ibrahim Gada Bura