Workers busy on the terraces of Borkeshe. Picture: Eleanor Bentall/Tearfund
`We have seen two things. One is we can conserve our soil and the other is our lives have been saved by this programme.’
It’s nearly the end of his shift and Merkin Memre is reflecting on the value of the food-for-work scheme, organised by the local church, that he’s taking part in.
Foor-for-work scheme participant Merkin Memre. Picture: Eleanor Bentall/Tearfund
Since 7am, Merkin and dozens of fellow residents from the village of Borkeshe, in Kindo Kovisha District, have been working the land.
And looking at the scarred and gouged terrain, it needs urgent attention. Erosion has done its ravaging best, removing soil and creating a barren surface across a wide area.
Under the food-for-work scheme, villagers are busily building terraces and planting cassia trees which will stop the erosion in its tracks by securing the soil and therefore the future of their food crops.
It’s back-breaking work, but there are many hands carrying rocks, laying the terraces, preparing the soil and planting the drought-resistant saplings.
Merkin said, `It was around six or seven years ago that erosion started to happen but now we are already saving our soil and we understand why this work will help us.’
An example of the damaging effects of erosion. Picture: Eleanor Bentall/Tearfund
The food-for-work scheme is being run by Tearfund partner, the Wolaitta Kale Heywet Church, which has a proven track record in relief and development work in Ethiopia since 1984.
As well as the environmental benefits, the scheme is keeping 15,000 people in Wolaitta Zone hunger-free in the current drought and food crisis.
In Borkeshe, for example, about 750 people are benefiting by each receiving 15kg of grain every month.
In return they have to work four hours a day on the land, five days a week. Finishing at 11am allows them to then return to work on their individual plots of land, minimising disruption to their livelihoods.
Abebech Gama at work on the terraces. Picture: Eleanor Bentall/Tearfund
Like many, Abebech Gama, 23, and her family suffered crop losses earlier in the year due to the drought. She values the food-for-work scheme as it is helping her bridge the gap between the last failed harvest and hopefully the next successful one in a few months’ time: `This work will save our family,’ she says.
Work supervisor Negash Nasa agrees: `By working hard we are benefiting. If we didn’t have food-for-work we would have died.’
At 60, Angelo Kabalo is one of the older workers. He said, `This year because of the church’s support we have survived. It’s not only us but our families who are surviving.
`Our confidence is that we are under God’s grace.’
Tinsae Dubale, food-for-work project officer for the Wolaitta Kale Heywet Church, said, `I would like to thank Tearfund. You have heard the need of the church community and the church appreciates what you are doing here.’
This cassia sapling will help secure the soil and prevent erosion. Picture: Eleanor Bentall/Tearfund