Project Area
Jeldu
Jeldu
Long-term capacity building for 100,000 people.
Since the beginning of 2017, Jeldu has been one of the project regions where the work is entirely financed by Menschen für Menschen Austria and implemented in collaboration with colleagues in Ethiopia. In the first step, initiatives will be implemented in 13 communities that are home to a total of 100,000 people.
In Jeldu the security situation is tense due to the activities of insurgent groups. In order to protect our employees, we have restricted or paused our work in these regions and some of our employees are being deployed in other project regions. As soon as the situation allows, we will continue our activities as normal. (Status 9/2023)
Overview of the project area
2017
30
725 km²
100,000 people
Gojo
about 115 km northwest of Addis Ababa in the West Shewa zone. Between 1,900 and 3,200 meters above sea level.
Challenges at the beginning of our work in Jeldu in 2017
About 90% of Jeldu's population depends on the yields of fields that are mostly too small. Severe deforestation in the region poses particularly serious challenges for people. Soils are no longer fertile and advanced soil erosion is rendering more and more fields unusable. The absence of forests also means that natural springs dry up. Potatoes and grains are the main crops cultivated in the region. Vegetables or fruit are to all intents and purposes unavailable, a fact that manifests itself in severe deficiency symptoms.
50 %
of the people do not have clean drinking water.
In many communities, only one in ten people has access to clean drinking water.
17 %
of people are affected by trachoma.
Bacterial eye inflammation can lead to painful blindness if left untreated.
50 %
of births take place in family huts.
And nearly one in two babies does not receive a medical checkup in the postpartum period.
What we're doing in Jeldu
In the first three-year project phase (2017-2019), development initiatives were initially implemented in seven districts (kebeles). In the second phase of the project (2020-2022), the work was expanded to a total of 13 kebeles. In order to create a basis for long-term development and the implementation of further initiatives, projects in the areas of agriculture, water, and health will be implemented first.
Based on the principle of capacity building, Menschen für Menschen always implements initiatives together with the local population. Our extensive experience in the neighboring regions of Abune Ginde Beret and Ginde Beret is being incorporated into the project work in Jeldu.
Based on the principle of capacity building, Menschen für Menschen always implements initiatives together with the local population. Our extensive experience in the neighboring regions of Abune Ginde Beret and Ginde Beret is being incorporated into the project work in Jeldu.
Project report (excerpt)
In addition to the initiatives indicated here, further activities in the fields of agriculture, water, and health will be implemented in order to create a good basis for the sustainable development of the Jeldu region.
Status of the evaluation unless otherwise specified: 6/30/2022
Status of the evaluation unless otherwise specified: 6/30/2022
19
Nurseries established
The nurseries grow trees, grasses and shrubs for reforestation, as well as fruit tree saplings for families. The nurseries are later transferred to the responsibility of the population or local authorities.
126
Hectares of land reforested
The saplings from the nurseries are planted in fenced areas in collaboration with the population. The village community takes care of the maintenance and protection of the reforestation areas.
10,886
Fuel-efficient stoves handed out
Fuel-efficient stoves reduce the need for fuel by about half. Not only does this protect the tree population and the environment but women also save a lot of time because they have to collect less wood or brushwood.
48
Hand pump wells and spring catchments constructed
Wells and spring catchments are built near the villages. Clean, healthy drinking water sustainably improves people's health and saves them a lot of time collecting water.
267
Sight-saving operations performed
The main causes of blindness in rural areas are cataracts and trichiasis. The latter can be avoided simply through more hygienic living conditions. In the final stage, however, only surgery protects against blindness.
32,652
Women received contraceptives
Together with local health facilities, we are improving education about family planning options and access to various contraceptives.
The people behind the numbers: our success is measurable and changing lives.
To make our work's success verifiable, it's not just about the numbers and data, but first and foremost about the people. The following stories tell of the big and small successes achieved in Jeldu.
What we're doing in Jeldu Insights into our work
We have compiled a few exemplary milestones and successes that show what has already been made possible in Jeldu with the support of our donors since 2017.
First project phase in Jeldu: protection of natural resources
The work of Menschen für Menschen began in seven districts (kebeles) of Jeldu in 2017. Advanced soil erosion, in particular, is a major problem for the people of the region.
Therefore, in the first phase of the project (2017-2019), a lot of attention was focused on the protection and development of natural resources. For example, a total of 715 km of terracing was created and around 2.7 million saplings were raised and planted out in reforestation areas covering a total of 101 hectares.
Therefore, in the first phase of the project (2017-2019), a lot of attention was focused on the protection and development of natural resources. For example, a total of 715 km of terracing was created and around 2.7 million saplings were raised and planted out in reforestation areas covering a total of 101 hectares.
First project phase in Jeldu: clean drinking water
Only one in 10 people had access to clean drinking water in the seven districts of Jeldu where we began our work.
As a result, the first phase of the project (2017-2019) saw the construction of 29 hand pumping wells and spring catchments. In addition, members of the village communities received training on the maintenance and care of the water points. They form the 7-member water committees, consisting of women and men responsible for ensuring that the wells and spring catchments will serve their purpose for a long time.
As a result, the first phase of the project (2017-2019) saw the construction of 29 hand pumping wells and spring catchments. In addition, members of the village communities received training on the maintenance and care of the water points. They form the 7-member water committees, consisting of women and men responsible for ensuring that the wells and spring catchments will serve their purpose for a long time.
First project phase in Jeldu: training of young beekeepers
In the first phase of the project, cooperatives for young women and men were established in the project region of Jeldu. The aim is to create jobs, especially for the younger generation, and thus prospects in their own region.
A bee cooperative was established in 2018. Its members will build the value chain in the region, taking care of the production, processing, distribution and marketing of their products.
A bee cooperative was established in 2018. Its members will build the value chain in the region, taking care of the production, processing, distribution and marketing of their products.
First project phase in Jeldu: mushroom cultivation pilot project
A special pilot project was started in 2019 by Menschen für Menschen: the first mushroom cultivation cooperative was established in Jeldu. Mushrooms are only known to the older generations in the rural regions of Ethiopia. There is great potential in their cultivation and distribution. No land is needed to raise the mushrooms in bags and the demand in the country is high.
The mushroom cooperative also aims for members themselves to build the value chain in the region and subsequently beyond it.
The mushroom cooperative also aims for members themselves to build the value chain in the region and subsequently beyond it.