At a time of great global uncertainty, political unrest, regional locust swarms and deadly local landslides, HOPE is more committed than ever to our mission to provide clean water access to marginalised communities.
HOPE’s provision of skills to earn needed money, grow necessary food and practice good public health are all the more vital and timely.
This 18-month project includes the five proven components of HOPE’s development work:
1) The provision of local clean water, which in Harbir will be accessible to 2,615 men, women, and children.
2) Health, hygiene and sanitation education will be provided to ensure that everyone knows how to make healthy lifestyle decisions, including establishing proper hand washing habits, safe sanitation and personal hygiene training will be provided for each household to build their own pit latrine. Crucially, training now includes COVID-19 prevention strategies.
3) Basic entrepreneurial and business training will be delivered to women in groups of 20 women each. In Harbir, this will be for 200 women in total. These Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are about empowering women to play a significant role in their families and community and to help them to lift themselves out of poverty.
4) Training for 100 of the poorest households to improve agricultural productivity, such as growing crops that can adapt to changing weather patterns due to climate change; the provision of seeds, fruit trees and resources required for SHGs to set up nurseries; plus the provision of bee hives for 25 landless families, plus
5) Environmental protection for increase climate resistance, e.g. the planting of 5,000 trees and community-built dam.
Sadly, heavy rain created a delay in the construction of the Harbir water system. The unpredictable weather led to road access problems to the project site and a small landslide hindered the delivery of construction materials. While most of the water points are now in operation, the final part of the pipeline still needs to be laid until everyone has local access to clean water.
However, while construction was delayed, other investments in the community were started. One example is the provision of improved seeds and fruit tree seedlings to 100 local farmers for both a means of income and environmental projection. HOPE started the improved agricultural training for improved agricultural benefits with an increased variety of vegetables and fruit. With the new water system, the farmers will be able to easily water their new crops, leading to an increased yield for improved health and increased income.
Similarly, HOPE staff started the Self Help Groups in Harbir, with 120 women volunteers who desired to learn basic business skills and start their own small businesses. All of SHG members have now started a small business, using their new skills and time. By playing an active part in earning money for their household, these women are already witnessing a significant improvement gender equality in their community.
HOPE's investment in Harbir will continue until December 2023. Thank you again for playing your part.
