A Story of Hope From Ethiopia

Fatuma Mussa and her family knew the path to the river well.

Living in Yeka Aman, Ethiopia, Fatuma would walk for hours to the river with a donkey, carrying water home for her family. The trip was difficult—especially when she was pregnant or carrying a child on her back—and took time away from nearly everything else.

"We had to think about survival," Fatuma says. 

Without access to water nearby, her family couldn't grow enough food year-round. They often had to buy food they wished they could grow themselves. It was hard to think about a better future when the family had to work so hard just to get through each day.

Then, a new water project helped change their lives.

Today, water is available just minutes from her home thanks to a project supported by Catholic Relief Services and the local community. The family grows tomatoes, onions, carrots and other vegetables. Bananas—once something her children bought in the market—now grow on their land, allowing the family to save money. Fatuma no longer spends hours each day carrying water. Instead, she spends more time caring for her family, farming and helping her neighbors. 

“A big burden has been lifted from my shoulders,” she says.

But one of the biggest changes can be seen in Fatuma's daughter, Ayantu.

Before the water project, 15-year-old Ayantu spent time helping collect water. School came after the family secured what they needed to get through the day. "Before that, I couldn't study because we used to fetch water," she says. "We can't live without water." 

Cooperman, Melissa /CRS

Ayantu enjoys studying Afaan Oromo, a language widely spoken in Ethiopia, and English. After school, she helps her family and then returns to her books. Now, Ayantu has more time to study and work toward her dream of graduating from college and becoming a science teacher or engineer. 

Inspired by the support her family has received, she hopes to become a leader in her community and help other families build a better future.

"I want to make people as happy as you guys are doing right now," Ayantu says.

The water flowing through Yeka Aman does more than fill buckets or water crops. It gives families time and hope to dream about a better tomorrow.

For Fatuma, that means seeing her children grow strong and do well.

For Ayantu, it means the chance to build a bright future and help other families in her community.