Robit
raised of $1,081,758 needed
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 13, 2012
We’re excited to report that the people of Robit now have access to clean drinking water, opportunities for a better education, healthcare treatment and prevention, and thriving small businesses funded by our micro finance loan program. Together, these projects are lifting an entire community out of poverty.
Glimmer built 52 water projects that are providing access to clean water to more than 15,000 people and will vastly improve the health and vitality of the community in and around Robit. Clean water means that children can spend the day in school instead of traveling miles away to collect dirty water, and the spread of waterborne diseases is decreased.
Glimmer built and furnished four new classroom buildings and a library at Zengaji Complete Primary School. We also built and furnished the new Robit Lower Primary School that houses four classrooms. Now more than 300 children who had no access to education will have a chance to create a better life for themselves and their families.
The Robit Health Center is also now up and running – offering healthcare treatment and education to more than 25,000 people in Robit and the surrounding communities. The new health center includes a medical store and waiting & registration buildings.
Finally, Glimmer provided 1,565 livelihood loans allowing 785 residents to start or expand their businesses and support their families. With the first round of loans already repaid, the small loans will continue to be reinvested into the community and more people in Robit will prosper over the long term.
While the projects you supported are now complete, Glimmer continues our work in Robit. We are in the process of building a major water project that will provide clean water at eight points throughout the community, including the Robit Health Center. This water project will provide access to an additional 4,300 people in the community. For more information on our recently completed projects, and future plans in Robit, be sure to check out our update video above.
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.
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Photos by Esther Havens; additional photos by Kristin Laughlin and Lynne Dobson.