Hope Spot 48 – Droughts, donkeys and digging

In August I placed before the ALWS family a big challenge.

The challenge was to help complete a 635 metres long canal to bring irrigation water to 223 farm families in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

I warned it would be hard work.

939m³ of excavated soil had to be removed.

45 tonnes of cement brought in.

667m³ of stone and sand used for construction.

I know times are tough for many in Australia, and this project would take great kindness and generosity.

That is, hard work.

Some would say ‘donkey work’.

Indeed, cement was transported by donkey too, as you can see below (on the left, alongside man in blue vest) …

Amazingly, here in Australia, our ALWS family donated in just 4 weeks enough money to complete our part of the hard work. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, the community contributed labour valued at 10% of the complete project!

Come with me, and see what we have all achieved together!

While the community gave their labour for free, the poorest community members worked as Cash-for-Work labourers so they could earn an income to support their family.

Skilled tradesmen were employed to do the challenging work of building two flumes – elevated walled ‘bridges’ – where the irrigation channel has to cross gullies.

Even rain could not stop the work …

You can see below the quality and durability of the canal, and the farmland that can now be irrigated to produce crops …

You can also see how far your kindness reaches …

Below you see the diversion weir that collects the water which is then channelled for irrigation …

When I see this, I am reminded of Jesus’ story of the wise man who built his house on a foundation of solid rock, so that the storms would not wash it away.

When the foundations are in place, the water can flow!

That’s just the start though …

With a reliable water supply, the community sets to work creating terraces on the steep hillsides. Fertile soil builds up behind the terraces and stone bunds, creating rich garden beds where crops and vegetables can be planted.

As we speak, farmers are harvesting their meher crop – that is, the crops grown from rain-fed agriculture. (July to September is the rainy season.)

Now, thanks to you, they can plant vegetables, using the new irrigation water!

These vegetables can include:

• Hot and sweet peppers
• Ethiopian mustard
• Kale
• Onion
• Tomato
• Chili
• Carrot
• Garlic
• Cabbage 

A whole vegetable shop!

The ‘fruits’ of the project, the ‘return’ on the investment of kindness and generosity by the ALWS family, is not just the canal, and not just the harvest, but the confidence in life these farm families now have …

… all starting with the kindness of people like you!

Our work together can be hard and hot and heavy.

Physically, for the farm families in Ethiopia who dug the 635 metres long canal …

… and economically, for families in Australia doing it tough, and farmers who may not harvest a crop this year due to the Big Dry down south.

Even though some may call this ‘donkey work’ …

… I pray you are inspired as you see what you achieve in people’s lives.

Especially today the 223 farm families in Amhara, Ethiopia, who now have a year-round reliable water supply to irrigate their crops, thanks to the 635 metres completed canal.

You can see what our ALWS support means to the people inn the handcraft they have created as a thank you blessing …

… together, we can be a blessing – ALWayS!

PS: When I think about ‘donkey work’, I take heart knowing it was a donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem for the birth we celebrate at Christmas!