Published in October 2024

Tulungo Village's sand dam project is nearing completion, but the hard working community are already reaping benefits, as illustrated by Muda Kembel's story.

Muda Kembel, a 30-year-old married woman and mother of eight, lives in Tulungo Village, Morgala Kebele (sub-district) in southern Ethiopia. As a woman in her community, she has long carried the heavy burden of household chores, but the most challenging task has always been collecting water. "Fetching water used to take more than half of my day, and it was even worse during the dry season," Muda recalls. "This left my children at home, often suffering while waiting for me to return. And the water we collected was not clean, leading to frequent waterborne diseases."

This cycle of hardship persisted until Sand Dams Worldwide, in partnership with Action for Development (AFD), supported the village with a life-changing sand dam project. "This project will transform our lives," says Muda, reflecting on how access to clean water and training in sustainable agricultural practices will improve her family’s wellbeing. 

Before the sand dam was built, Muda’s days were filled with gruelling, arduous tasks. "I would leave home early in the morning to collect water, often encountering wild animals on the journey," she explains. "Sometimes, it would take me hours to fetch just enough for my family. The water was unclean, and my children often fell sick from drinking it." 

The health impacts were severe, not only for Muda’s family but also for the entire community. "We frequently experienced illnesses that lasted weeks. This left us weak and unable to work or take care of our children properly," she says.

Water scarcity also led to conflict within the community. "During the dry season, tensions over water were high. People from other villages would come and fight for access, and I always worried about my husband when he went out to fetch water for our livestock," Muda recalls. "It was a stressful and dangerous time for all of us."

But things have changed since the community started working on their sand dam project.

"Having water so close will transform my life... Now, I will be able to spend more time with my children, and the water will be clean, which means fewer illnesses." 

Muda Kembel, member of Tulungo Village, southern Ethiopia.

In addition to the sand dam and the access to water that will come with it, Muda has also been supplied with drought-tolerant crop varieties to support her farming efforts. She has started cultivating melkassa maize, a crop known for its resilience during dry spells. Alongside this, she also received mango, avocado, papaya, banana and moringa seedlings, and elephant grass cuttings, which are already showing promise.

"I’m looking forward to the day I can feed my family with fresh produce and maybe even sell some at the market. I never imagined I would have such a variety of fruits and vegetables growing on my land..."

But that's not all the project has offered. Community members will also have the opportunity to learn about alternative livelihood options, such as beekeeping and poultry keeping. Muda is eager to diversify her family's income streams and improve their nutrition. "The thought of keeping bees and raising chickens while growing vegetables excites me," she says. "These opportunities will provide a steady income and help me secure my children's future."

Reflecting on how far she has come in just a short period, Muda shares how much the support has meant to her. "Before, I struggled every day, and now I feel hopeful. My children will be healthier, my farm will thrive, and I have plans for even more," she says. "The training and resources have given me the confidence to believe in a better future for my family and my village."

Muda’s story is a testament to the power of community-driven projects that not only address immediate needs, like access to water, but also provide tools for sustainable livelihoods. "I am grateful to Sand Dams Worldwide and AFD for their support," Muda concludes. "We are building a brighter, more resilient future, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us."

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