Robit

$1,081,758
raised of $1,000,000 needed
108%

The densely populated village of Robit is home to more than 11,000 people. With so many people in the community, the area is usually a buzz of activity. The town center is bustling as dirt roads converge at markets that pop up throughout the week. Men work the fields and herd cattle up and down the roads while women work outside their houses, chatting with each other, and sorting their herbs and spices. With sticks and homemade toys, laughing and squealing children play games up and down the dirt streets and in their front yards. There is a hustle and bustle of life that never stops in Robit.

Village Projects

  • 53 water projects
    52 hand dug wells, 1 deep borehole
  • 5 school buildings
    20 furnished classrooms, 5 latrines,
    1 library
  • 1 health center
  • 780 micro-finance loans

Robit Need

Upon entering Robit, the magnitude of the need there is immediately apparent. More than 11,000 people live in the village and there is no access to clean water. None. The river that runs through the community is rusty brown from the amount of mud that the water carries. This is the main source of water for people and for animals. Those that do not walk to the river, gather their water from crudely dug wells. This water is contaminated, it is filthy, and it is full of bacteria that brings disease. When water borne illness strikes, which it frequently does, there are no health facilities available to the people. A few remote health care extension workers visit the community, but they do not have any facilities for child birth or maternal care or for anything more than crude first aid. As if the water and the health situation was not bad enough, the thousands of school children in the area have no adequate school buildings. Instead, they attend classes in old and dilapidated buildings. They squish in, shoulder to shoulder, often sitting on the ground, and try to learn in classrooms with dirt floors and animal droppings in the corners. It is a difficult learning environment at best. At worst, it is a health and safety hazard. The children in this village desperately need a decent place to go to school so that they can get the education they will need to help them improve their lives.

November 17, 2011

Thanks to you, construction is blossoming in Robit Village.

Last year you listened to the story of Robt and gave generously - $1,081,758 was raised to provide clean water, basic health care and new school buildings for the people of this rural Ethiopian community. One year later, work is progressing smoothly and our projects are already having a profound impact on people’s lives.

SINCE LAST YEAR WE HAVE...
provided access to clean water for almost 6000 people through 48 new hand-dug wells in the Robit and Minzero area. And we are not done yet. A deep borehole is under construction which will give thousands more access to clean water.
inaugurated a high school with more than 350 9th grade students now able to complete their education. 10th grade will be added next fall. And by this New Year, another 2,400 elementary and middle school students will be learning in 5 new school buildings, including a library.

COMING SOON...
a new health center providing second tier care will be operational in early 2012. More than 25,000 people in Robit and the surrounding villages will receive improved health care services through this new facility.
a deep bore hole located in the center of Robit is in the process of being drilled and will provide thousands more with clean water.

THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE...
so moved by your support and investments, the community has provided the funds and labor to construct a building for teacher’s offices at the high school. It will be completed by Thanksgiving.

Thank you for helping us change lives.

November 6, 2010

Thanks to the success of our let there be hope 2010 fundraiser, Glimmer is now able fund all of the projects needed in the community of Robit. Glimmer is using its unique integrated community development approach to help the people of Robit. Glimmer has just begun construction on the development plan for Robit, which includes the following projects: 5 middle and elementary school classroom buildings, 4 high school classroom buildings, a health center with inpatient and outpatient buildings, a library, 28 hand dug wells, and a deep borehole well with multiple distribution points. In addition, 500-600 individuals in Robit will receive microfinance loans to help them build businesses and work towards financial independence.

July 11, 2010

The community of Robit came out in force with smiles and enthusiasm to help break ground on the new projects. Watch as eager school children get involved by helping clear the land for their new schools. Plus, see how staff members pitch in to dig wells alongside the community. Their energy and dedication is contagious.

Stay tuned for more updates from the field as the Glimmer team continues to capture footage on the progress of these projects as well as the new health center and impact of microfinance loans.