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Hagere Mariam – Rural project

Integrated rural development area of Hagere Mariam

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Project Information

  • Focus:– Water
    – Health
    – Agriculture
    – Education
    – Social projects
    – Women
    – Infrastructure
  • Target groups: Farmers, families, the rural population
  • Region: Hagere Mariam, Amhara
  • Population: 60,055 residents
  • Project area: 752 km²
  • Duration: 2008 – 2014

Project Goal

Project Description

ACTIVITIES

To stimulate lasting and sustainable change in rural areas, Menschen für Menschen works on the principle of “integrated rural development projects”. Together with the local people, who contributed high levels of commitment and effort, activities from various areas that are necessary for sustained development were implemented and linked together:

  • WATER
    Together with the local people Menschen für Menschen built wells, well tappings and reservoir tanks for rain water. The farmers were trained on how to keep the water clean and how to look after and maintain the facilities. The local people were also educated on important aspects on improving hygiene.
  • HEALTH
    Menschen für Menschen built health centers, trained medical staff, initiated vaccination programs and introduced simple operations, improving the basic medical care available. The foundation also carried out education programs on HIV / AIDS and advised people on preventative healthcare.
  • AGRICULTURE
    To fight against erosion, Menschen für Menschen helped the farmers build terraces and reforest the land. Training programs taught the farmers new techniques that helped them increase their crop yields and improve the productivity of their livestock.
  • EDUCATION
    Almost half of the entire population of Ethiopia cannot read or write. By building schools, training teachers and running literacy campaigns for adults, Menschen für Menschen helped to improve the situation.
  • PROMOTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS
    Menschen für Menschen was involved in various activities focused on improving living conditions for women and strengthening their position in society. These included: vocational training courses, training in housekeeping and hygiene and credit programs that that help women find a way to live independently.
  • INFRASTRUCTURE
    In the remote, rural areas, many small villages are very hard to reach. By building roads and bridges, Menschen für Menschen helped the people living there to connect with the rest of the world.

The Problem

In 2008, Menschen für Menschen started its integrated rural development project in the central Ethiopian highlands of Hagere Mariam. Environmental damage had led to ever greater poverty in this area and the situation for the local population looked increasingly desperate. Thanks to the loyal support of Swiss donors, more than 60,000 people were empowered to improve their difficult living conditions.

Soil erosion was one crucial problem in Hagere Mariam. The trees on the hillsides had been cut down and used for building houses or firewood. With no tree roots, the rain quickly ran off the hills, taking the topsoil with it. The result: hunger and even greater poverty. One goal set by Menschen für Menschen was to halt the erosion and increase the agricultural land. Using integrated rural development approaches, the foundation also supported the population in taking control of their own development step by step.

Project Information

  • Focus:– Water
    – Health
    – Agriculture
    – Education
    – Social projects
    – Women
    – Infrastructure
  • Target groups: Farmers, families, the rural population
  • Region: Hagere Mariam, Amhara
  • Population: 60,055 residents
  • Project area: 752 km²
  • Duration: 2008 – 2014

Project Goal