Mutter mit Kind auf dem Rücken sortiert Getreide

Hagere Mariam Integrated Rural Development Area

Hagere Mariam – Rural Project

Project goal

The focus is on the long-term restoration of natural resources such as soil, vegetation and water, with the aim of helping the people living in Hagere Mariam to have a better and more sustainable future. At the same time, the development of social infrastructure is being promoted.

Einwohner vor dem Eingang zur Informationsveranstaltung für den Projekt-Launch

Interventions

In order to initiate lasting and sustainable changes in rural areas, Menschen für Menschen relied on the principle of "integrated rural development projects". Together with the population, who contributed a high level of commitment and hard work, measures from various areas that are necessary for sustainable development were implemented and interlinked.

  • Water & hygiene: Together with the local population , Menschen für Menschen built wells, spring developments and rainwater collection basins. In training courses, the farmers learned how to keep the water clean and how to care for and maintain the system. The local population was also informed about important aspects of improved hygiene.
  • Health: By building health stations, training medical staff, vaccinating people and carrying out simple operations , Menschen für Menschen improved basic medical care. The foundation also carried out HIV/AIDS awareness programs and advised people on health care issues.
  • Agriculture: To combat erosion, Menschen für Menschen helped farmers build terraces and reforest the land. Training gave farmers new techniques to increase crop yields and improve livestock productivity.
  • Education: Almost half of all people in Ethiopia were still unable to read or write at the project start. By building schools, training teachers and running literacy campaigns for adults , Menschen für Menschen helped to improve this situation.
  • Promoting women: To improve the living conditions of women and strengthen their social status, Menschen für Menschen implemented various measures. These include: vocational training courses, training in housekeeping and hygiene, and credit programs that enable women to become self-employed.
  • Infrastructure: In the remote, rural areas, many small villages are difficult to access. By building roads and bridges , Menschen für Menschen enabled the residents to connect to the world.

Project info

  • Focus:
    • Water
    • Health
    • agriculture
    • Education
    • Social
    • Women
    • Infrastructure
  • Target group: farmers, families, rural residents
  • Region: Hagere Mariam, Amhara
  • Population: 60,055 inhabitants (2014)
  • Project area: 752 km²
  • Duration: 2008 to 2014

The problem

In 2008 , Menschen für Menschen started setting up the integrated rural development project in the central Ethiopian highlands of Hagere Mariam. Environmental damage had led to increasing poverty in this area and the situation for the population was becoming increasingly threatening. Thanks to the loyal support of Swiss donors, over 60,000 people were given the chance to improve their difficult living conditions through their own efforts.

A major problem in Hagere Mariam was soil erosion. The forests on the slopes had been cut down because the trees were needed for building houses and for firewood. Because there were no tree roots, the rain quickly ran off and took the topsoil with it. This, and outdated farming methods, meant that the yields from the fields were low. The result: hunger and even greater poverty. One of Menschen für Menschen 's goals was therefore to stop erosion and gain arable land. With the help of the integrated rural development approach, the foundation supported the population in taking their development into their own hands, step by step.

Mann vor Erosionsgraben

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

With the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations has formulated 17 goals for sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a roadmap for the future that enables a dignified life while preserving the natural foundations of life. With this project, we have contributed to achieving the following goals:

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