Hard Work and Love of a Family

Having the culture of this beautiful country wrap itself around me was something I'll never forget. The kindness, grit, humility, and strength of Ethiopia have taught me a valuable lesson. That no matter what we are given in life, the most important thing is being around those we love. Rather we have a house full of running water or a small mud/grass hut, what matters most is hard work and the love of a family. If we can feel that, we will never be left wanting. Our work towards a ready supply of water is underway. The joy and happiness that this water pipeline will bring the people of Dera cannot compare to what they have given us.

Dave Rich

April 2010

Water Works:in the Pipeline

Why water for Dera, Ethiopia?

We want to introduce to you Woudneh Mulugeta - a man with a mission. Born in Dera as one of thirteen children, Woudneh was sent from home at age 8 to work. At 15 he left field work and served in the army where he later went to war. At the end of the war he was left to walk home across the eastern desert of Ethiopia with no money, no shoes and no water. He talked one shop keeper into giving him one pack of gum for a few cents. He sold it and paid her back and bought a second pack, sold it and so on until he had money to get home. Now a successful entrepreneur in Addis Ababa, Woudneh has not forgotten his family and his home in Dera. They have little water and he has worked valiantly to make this Dera Water project come to life.

Our tribute to a man who lives up to his mission in bringing life-sustaining water to his home!