Likimse, Ethiopia

A man collects dirty water from a dry riverbed.

Mikedes, age 7, enjoys a clean supply of drinking water.

Likimse in southern Ethiopia was a dry, barren area where nothing much grew. With the help of World Vision supporters, permanent and lasting changes have been achieved.

The situation before

• The 64,000 people living here had no reliable water supply.
• Their only water source was a small, muddy stream, which took six hours to walk to.
• The water was polluted with deadly bacteria, causing diarrhoea and other life-threatening illnesses.
• Women and children spent endless hours getting water.

With the help of World Vision supporters, clean water has improved the health situation for the people of Likimse

• 80km of water pipelines have been laid to bring clean water to villages.
• Increased access to clean water with capped springs and 35 water points.
• Two health centres, three schools and two nurseries now have clean water.
• 150 toilets were built to improve sanitation.
• 28 local residents were trained to maintain the water system.
• Health of the population has improved significantly.