Tamenech and Joseph live in Sodo, a village in central Ethiopia. Their mud and thatch home is one of about 100 that make up their neighborhood. Among the houses are vegetable gardens, fruit trees, lines hung with hand-washed laundry, grazing sheep and goats, and kids at play. Inside Tamenech and Joseph’s place you’ll find Joseph studying for his priesthood while Tamenech bathes the children or prepares food.

Tamenech spends most of her days at home raising their three kids, and when possible works as a part-time nurse. Access to safe water makes fresh food, and health, and livelihood possible for families in this village.

Not only did Tamenech want to prevent her children from walking to rivers or ponds to find water like she did as a child, but her role as a nurse gave her the insight to know how unhealthy that water is. The power of water made possible by a small loan from a local partner ended Tamenech and Joseph’s water crisis.

Our partners help bring stories like Tamenech's to life. Thanks to Vision Fund in Ethiopia, families like Tamenech and Joseph’s now have water just a few steps from their front door. They can focus on their educations and work, caring for their children, and maintaining a home. And their children will never know the water crisis like Tamenech and Joseph once did.

Water.org no longer has active programs in Ethiopia. Learn more about where we currently work.