TRAINING ON CLEAN WATER WITH THE MOTHERS UNION
IN GAMBELLA
In a recent survey conducted by the Anglican Church in Gambella , Ethiopia
With the support of Anglican Aid, a three year training
program for the Mothers Union has started to address issues of poverty and
health. The Mother’s Union is an integral part
of the Anglican Church in Gambella, and is actively engaged in literacy
programs, church activities, practical help, prayer and visitations to the
sick. The new training program will expand the role of the Mothers Union,
providing theological and practical skills to women across 70 villages. This
will be done through a ‘train-the-trainer’ program, which will empower women to
affect change in their own communities.
Dr. Wendy LeMarquand, the project co-ordinator, reports on
the first training session. “On September 4th and 5th, we hosted 34 women
representing 20 distinct Mothers’ Union groups functioning out of our 14
Mission Centres spread throughout the Gambella region.
It was wonderful to see how intently the women listened to
the introductory story dealing with issues of how we learn and how we can work
together to help take care of problems in the community. And it was a delight
to see how much they enjoyed using pictures and story-telling as they later
practiced teaching this to one another! They had lots of fun looking through
magnifying glasses and binoculars in the session on how we are able to see
things that contaminate water, and they were amazed (and quite horrified!) at
the pictures of microorganisms shown to them on my computer!
Our practice sessions on solar water purification, water
filter construction, clean water dispensers and dish drying racks were full of
laughter, good questions and good discussion. When each of the representatives
left to return to their Mission Centres, they carried the materials to make
their own clean water dispensers, carrying these simple, inexpensive and
locally available items as if they were carrying costly treasure.
These ‘water dispensers’ that our representatives will make
during their own community demonstration/teaching sessions will replace the
common open (and never washed) communal pot of water (which is usually kept
inside the church office, in the dark), and into which one unwashed cup is
passed from one coughing adult to one feverish child, to another with diarrhea,
etc.
Some were moved to tears to think that what they are
learning may save the lives of their precious children. To think that the
occurrence and re-occurrence of diarrhea is something that can be taken care of
and prevented was a new concept to many. To communicate these important truths
in a way that is fun, non-judgmental and memorable is one of the main goals of
the program.
Our Mothers’ Union representatives will return to teach what
they have learned by holding a teaching day for all of our 1500 Mothers’ Union
members at the Mission Centres, and then by holding a second teaching day at
our 60+ local churches where each Mothers’ Union member is encouraged to invite
and teach at least one community guest.
The Mothers Union in Gambella requires further support for
these training sessions. Please contact Bishop Grant and Dr Wendy LeMarquand
for further information.