Kushet Development Program

Kushet Community Development Program

SNNP Region, Dawro Zone

Kushet Community Development Program

The following provides an overview of the Community Development Program for Kushet Village (population 6,000) in the Maji district of the SNNP Region.

Program Objective:
To improve the well-being and quality of life of the people living in Kushet by providing the community with access to quality education, safe protected water, hygiene and sanitation training and increased access to professional health services.

Area Facts:
• Country: Ethiopia
• Region: SNNP Region
• District: Maji
• Kebele: Kushet, population 6,600

In Country Implementation Partner:
• Bench Maji Development Association (BMDA)

Current Situation

The following provides an overview of the current living conditions of the people of Kushet across the Water, Education and Health sectors.

Water
There are no protected safe water sources for the people of Kushet to gather water from. Therefore, they are gathering water from over 52 contaminated springs. In addition, the members of the community walk over .5 miles to gather this unprotected unsafe water. Lack of access to safe drinking water for personal consumption and domestic hygiene is the cause of significant amount of the diseases in Ethiopia. Common health problems such as diarrhea, intestinal parasites, skin infections and dysentery are preventable with improved water supply, environmental sanitation, and simple behavioral changes.

Education
Overall, the education environment is not at all conducive to the proper learning environment for the students of Kushet.
• Kushet Junior School
• This is the only junior school in the village and is overcrowded and dilapidated
• There are currently over 100 students per classroom (9 classrooms serving over
900 students)
• It does not have furnishings and equipment conducive to a proper learning
environment.
• Lacks the necessary latrines and water
• There is not an administration room for the teachers nor a laboratory or library for
the students
• Oar Primary School
• This school is also overcrowded with over 79 students per classroom
• Lacks the necessary number of classrooms, proper furnishings, water schemes,
and latrines.

Health
Only one Health Clinic exists to serve this community of over 6,000 residents. This clinic is in unacceptable condition as there is no water at the clinic and there are not proper furnishings or medical equipment. Residents travel more than 6 miles to reach the next closest health facility.

Development Program Components

In conjunction with the Bench Maji Development Association and our generous donors, Glimmer will implement the following development program in the Kushet Village:

Water:

Construction of 24 spring protection developments, with some including washing basins, gravity showers and cattle troughs Widespread community education on hygiene and sanitation, plus training for water caretakers

Education:
• Improve educational environment for Kushet Junior School by providing furnishing and construction for:
• Two school buildings with four classrooms each
• One school building with an administration office and laboratory
• One latrine with six holes
• One spring development project
• Upgrade existing Oar Primary School by providing furnishings and construction for:
• One school building with four classrooms
• One school building with two classrooms and an administration office
• One latrine with six holes
• One hand dug well

Healthcare:
• Construct and furnish one new health clinic, including:
• Medical equipment
• One waste disposal incinerator
• One latrine with four holes
• One hand dug well

Expected Beneficiaries by Sector:
• Water: 6,317 community members
• Education: 1,388 students in Kushet Junior and Oar Primary schools
• Health: 6,600 residents served by health post