Kechene Water & Sanitation Project

New International Fundraising Initiative For The Opal Foundation

The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) have invited the Opal Foundation to support work in the Kechene slum, the largest slum in Addis Ababa.  

Work in the Kechene slum continues the theme of providing safe water and sanitation to 5,520 people in the slum, who will directly benefit from provision of two water points, and three kiosks, providing safe water latrines and showers. The objectives of the project are:

•    Safe water and improved sanitation for over 5,000 people.
•    Engagement of the community in the planning implementation and maintenance of the facilities.
•    Train the community in how to protect themselves from water borne diseases.
•    A key part of the project is to ensure ownership of the project and ongoing development by the community itself, through established committees.

The cost of the project is £35,000.

The slum supports 56,000 people, including the poorest in Addis-Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.   There are a high number of street children and HIV/AIDS are prevalent.  There is a lack of access to clean water, sanitation and poor personal hygiene. Less than 16% of the inhabitants have access to clean water.  This contributes significantly to high infant mortality of 109 deaths per 1,000 live births.  75% of diseases reported are due to unsafe and inadequate water supplies, sanitation and poor hygiene.  AMREF has been working in Kechene slum since 2002. This project will use expertise acquired by AMREF to enable cost effective delivery and effective community participation.