MORE THAN HEALTH:
CLEAN WATER UNLOCKS LIVELIHOODS.
By Rediate Wujra, Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager, PSI Ethiopia
Across Ethiopia, nearly 43% of the population lacks access to basic drinking water — a reality that stifles opportunities and traps communities in cycles of poverty. For generations, this struggle has defined daily life in Tehuledere, a rural district in the Amhara region, where health, economic stability, and quality of life have all been profoundly impacted.
For Zubeda Ali, a widowed mother of two, the absence of clean water meant constant worry and restriction. After losing her husband in 2001 (1994 EC), Zubeda was left solely responsible for her children’s future. With limited resources, she opened a modest coffee and breakfast shop in Tehuledere’s town center — the only means she had to support her family and send her children to school. Every day, she was forced to rely on water from a single, contaminated well, built decades ago by Italian forces and now riddled with rust, debris, and insects. “We saw insects and animals enter the well, but had no choice but to use it,” she recalls. “I worried constantly about serving this water to my customers, but we had no other option.”
In 2016, Tehuledere was designated a conflict-affected area, making it eligible for USAID Transform Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (T/WASH) project, a collaboration by USAID, PSI, SNV, and local authorities. The project aimed to improve water infrastructure and reduce disease by providing clean and, reliable water access.
The T/WASH project expanded the old well’s capacity from 5 to 15 cubic meters, serving over 4,026 households across four villages and delivering clean water directly to homes and businesses. For Zubeda, this access to clean water changed everything. “Now, I don’t worry about contaminated water in the teacups I serve to my customers,” she says. “Customers trust my business, and I’ve been able to expand and attract more people.” With clean water, her business has grown, providing her family with greater stability and security.
The project’s impact extended beyond health improvements. During the construction, it created jobs, and, once completed, it helped reduce waterborne diseases and support local agriculture. Community leaders were trained in sustainable water use, ensuring long-term benefits.
According to Jemal Seid, Tehuledere’s Water and Energy Office Manager, “The T/WASH project gives us water not only for drinking but for agricultural needs, even in dry seasons, supporting many local livelihoods.”
For Zubeda, clean water has become much more than a health necessity — it’s a foundation for growth. Today, her thriving coffee shop supports her family, providing stability and a brighter future. “This is not just about water. It is about the chance to rebuild and grow,” Zubeda explains. The T/WASH project has shown how access to clean water can unlock potential, fuel livelihoods, and transform communities.
For many in Tehuledere and across Ethiopia, clean water is more than a basic need — it’s a catalyst for opportunity, resilience, and growth.
