Girls can attend school instead of carrying water
When donkeys are used to transport water from the water source to the house, women and children are spared the burden of carrying water. In rural Ethiopia, water sources are often far away from settlements and it is traditionally the task of women and girls to fetch water for the household.
With heavy jerry cans or buckets on their backs, they are on foot for hours in the heat of the day – often on paths that are not without danger – to fetch drinking water to supply their families at remote water points. On average, they carry 20 litres of water over distances of about 5 to 15 km on foot per day.
When donkeys are used to transport water, the time and effort required is significantly reduced. Time resources are freed up so that the girls can attend school more regularly.
Women gain time for productive, income-generating activities or to attend training. Improved access to water also provides households with sufficient water for personal hygiene or crop irrigation.