IPADA Mission to South Ethiopia Region (28 January 2025 to 02 February 2025)
The leadership of Inclusive Peace and Development in Africa (namely, Prof. Gebre Yntiso Deko, Prof. Felipe Aixala and Dr. Berihu Gebrekidan) visited the Central Ethiopia Region to share experience on successful development interventions and the South Ethiopia Region to discuss collaboration with potential partners. On 29 January 2025, the team visited the project sites of Inter Aide (NGO) in the Kambata Zone of Central Ethiopia Region. Inter Aide has done commendable jobs in different areas: awareness raising on sanitation and hygiene, building gravity-fed water systems, developing community-based water management practices, supporting soil and water conservation works, and improving access to fodder grass. Inter Aide researchers developed effective treatment for diseases of teats and udder. IPADA and Inter Aide expressed interest to collaborate in the areas of technology adoption.
Between 30 January and 01 February 2025, the team discussed with multiple potential partners: Wolaita Sodo University, the Wolaita Development Association, Wonta Rural Development Association, Center for Peace, Human Rights and Development, Humbo-Betela Town Administration, the Catholic Church in Menara, a cooperative society in Humbo-Betele Town Administration, and two self-help groups in Abala-Faracho Woreda. Some of these organizations have been collaborating with Prof. Felipe Aixala in the areas of spring water development, school construction, revolving goat scheme, and housing for the poor. Since Prof. Aixala expressed commitment to provide support for the old and the new initiatives in Wolaita Zone, IPADA in collaboration with local partners (namely, the Center for Peace, Human Rights and Development + Water, Irrigation and Minerals Office of Kindokoisha Woreda) will to takeover the responsibility of implementing spring water and school projects in Chereche area, Kindokoisha Woreda. IPADA will also collaborate with Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Development Association, and other relevant actors in dairy production (especially in synchronization and artificial insemination) and ground water drilling.
Pictorial depiction of projects supported by Prof. Aixala in Wolaita Zone
1. Cataract: In 9 campaigns, more than 2700 cataract surgeries were done; and the formerly blind people got their visions back.
2. Water: Two springs were developed in Sime and Menara areas of Kindokoisha, and 700+ households have now access to potable water. In Abala-Abaya area, government water project stopped due to financial constraint was completed and made functional.
3. School: Primary schools were built in Sime and Chereche areas to prevent outmigration and dropouts by creating access to schools in close proximity.
4. Cooperatives: Sixty women in Humbo were given an small capital to establish a cooperative, and now they own a shop and a warehouse, and their capital increased.
5. Self-Help Groups: Goat revolving scheme was started with two self-help groups women, who are now in process of building assets successfully.
6. Neglected diseases: Prof. Aixala supported local initiatives aimed at addressing neglected health problems such as malaria, Utero-vaginal prolapse, and fistula.