What: Integrated Water Well Initiative

Where: Nazareth, Ethiopia

When: When our goal of $11,000 is met!

Why: Based on the 2007 Population and Housing Census, the total population of Ethiopia was estimated to be 77 million making it the second largest populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa next to Nigeria. The average household size is 4.8. The overwhelming majority (about 85%) of the total population are living in the rural areas.

According to the report obtained from water utility partnership, in Africa, it is estimated that about 300 million people are without access to safe water and another 500 million lack adequate sanitation. In one year, over 500,000 die before the age of 5. Water related diseases are the single biggest killer of infants and the principal cause of illness in adults in Ethiopia. Water related diseases are a particular treat to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Ethiopia has the lowest coverage of access to safe water and basic sanitation in the world. Where there is coverage, the level of service may be poor. The poor water and sanitation situation has contributed to high infant and maternal mortality rate and Very low economic productivity which had a direct impact on progress towards meeting the MDG targets.

Women and girls spend hours every day collecting water from distant sources, and in addition are expected to cook, collect fire wood, and care for the sick which directly has impact on girls education. In general, the water crisis has an impact on the overall development of the country

The majority of the ten top diseases within the entire country are related to water and sanitation problems.

Who: Building Arizona Families + Life in Abundance International = Partners in a Common Cause