Collaboration brings progress to Ethiopia’s One WASH National Program

In support of the Government of Ethiopia’s One WASH National Program (OWNP), the USAID-financed TRANSFORM WASH project is revitalising the capacity of Woreda WASH Teams (WWTs) and Sanitation Marketing Technical Working Groups (SMTWGs) to support government sanitation services oversight.

With TRANSFORM WASH support, Sanitation Market Technical Working Groups (SMTWGs) are now actively working with manufacturers and sales agents to strengthen sanitation markets. In Aleta Wondo woreda, the SMTWG played a significant role in supporting Asefash Tadesse, chair and mason sales agent of the Dobe Slab Manufacturing Enterprise. When demand for toilet slabs rose, Asefa – already a supplier of improved slabs for households – requested for a loan from the kebele to expand her sanitation business. Upon receiving the loan, Asefa purchased 30 SATO pans, 20 cleaning brushes, iron bars and cement, and produced and installed improved sanitation products made of concrete slabs with SATO pans. As a result of Asefah's efforts, 84 households now have access to improved sanitation products. Additionally, eight slab manufacturing enterprises have been set up and trained by the SMWTG.

'I now deliver my daily activities in alignment with [our strategic WASH] annual plan with a sense of responsibility and ownership,' said Abebayehu Kechara, Water Office Head and WWT member, when asked how SNV’s capacity building efforts impacted on his work. Abebayehu Kechara's sentiment  is shared by members of WWTs and SMTWGs who had been trained, coached, and mentored by TRANSFORM WASH’s Capacity Building Advisors. As a result of TRANSFORM WASH interventions, 41 Woreda WASH teams now have increased capacity to contribute to the provision of sustainable WASH services.

With TRANSFORM WASH support, Sanitation Market Technical Working Groups (SMTWGs) are now actively working with manufacturers and sales agents to strengthen sanitation markets. In Aleta Wondo woreda, the SMTWG played a significant role in supporting Asefash Tadesse, chair and mason sales agent of the Dobe Slab Manufacturing Enterprise. When demand for toilet slabs rose, Asefa – already a supplier of improved slabs for households – requested for a loan from the kebele to expand her sanitation business. Upon receiving the loan, Asefa purchased 30 SATO pans, 20 cleaning brushes, iron bars and cement, and produced and installed improved sanitation products made of concrete slabs with SATO pans. As a result of Asefah's efforts, 84 households now have access to improved sanitation products. Additionally, eight slab manufacturing enterprises have been set up and trained by the SMWTG.

'I now deliver my daily activities in alignment with [our strategic WASH] annual plan with a sense of responsibility and ownership,' said Abebayehu Kechara, Water Office Head and WWT member, when asked how SNV’s capacity building efforts impacted on his work. Abebayehu Kechara's sentiment  is shared by members of WWTs and SMTWGs who had been trained, coached, and mentored by TRANSFORM WASH’s Capacity Building Advisors. As a result of TRANSFORM WASH interventions, 41 Woreda WASH teams now have increased capacity to contribute to the provision of sustainable WASH services.

Written by: Fasika Ayalew (SNV in Ethiopia Communications Officer) with Kassahun Bedane (TRANSFORM WASH Capacity Strengthening Advisor)

For questions or more information, contact: Kassahun Bedane through SNV in Ethiopia's general office mail.

Photos: Photos taken by SNV in Ethiopia staff pre-COVID.