As the pilot for a 25-school WASH initiative, Project 11 exposed unsafe water, failing toilets, and hygiene gaps at Jaarraa Abbaa Gadaa School—prompting urgent upgrades and student-led solutions.
Project 11 at Jaarraa Abbaa Gadaa Primary School in Shegger Suburb, Oromia, served as the pilot site for a national effort to evaluate and improve WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure in 25 schools across Ethiopia’s Oromia, Addis Ababa, Somali, and South Ethiopia regions. This foundational project was co-developed by Asmahan Rabo (Needs4Water) and Mike Hewitt (Almaquin Enterprises) and formally launched during the initial site visit on April 26, 2024.
Serving 939 students, the school faced critical WASH deficiencies:
Needs4Water responded swiftly with targeted interventions:
A follow-up visit on July 31, 2024, brought together the school director, assistant director, parent representatives, and internally displaced persons (IDP) leaders to review progress and co-develop future goals. The meeting included:
The team assessed WASH facility upgrades and discussed integrating hygiene education with farming practices to reinforce financial sustainability. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of community ownership and the school’s role as a demonstration site.
Selected by the Oromia Regional Government for infrastructure improvements, Jaarraa Abbaa Gadaa now benefits from:
Project 11 established the operational template for the Ethiopia 2025 WASH Survey, proving that localized solutions grounded in data, partnerships, and student leadership can catalyze systemic improvement.