A new partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia

The vast majority of the work that Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity does centers around helping families in our metro area as they work to find affordable, safe, decent places to call home. But the need for home is universal and Habitat for Humanity's work is not bound by borders or oceans. That is why Twin Cities Habitat sets aside 10% of undesignated donations to use as a tithe to support Habitat affiliates in other parts of the world. We are excited to announce that our newest tithe partner is the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Ethiopia.

This is a natural match for us because many of our recent Habitat homebuyers here in Twin Cities have their roots in Ethiopia. Minnesota's Ethiopian immigrant population was officially listed at 14,000 people in the most recent census, but many people think the real number is significantly higher. We are looking forward to building a stronger connection between the Twin Cities and Ethiopia through our new partnership. 

To kickoff this new relationship, the National Director of Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia, Kebede Abebe, traveled to the Twin Cities in early February 2014. He told people about Habitat's work in Ethiopia, and how the number of families they've been able to serve has increased dramatically in recent years as they've expanded to do water projects.

When Kebede is asked why Habitat in Ethiopia doesn't just stick to building homes and why've they've added communal toilets and water wells he says the impact they can have on people's lives is just too great to ignore the need. He points out that Ethiopians are more likely to have access to a cell phone than a toilet.

Kebede also attended Twin Cities Habitat's annual Homeowner Network Event at the Minnesota Children's Museum and met with Twin Cities Habitat homebuyers from Ethiopia.

When Twin Cities Habitat connected with Habitat Ethiopia we asked what was the biggest need in terms of improving housing there. The response was clear: water. Right now only 44% of the Ethiopians have access to safe drinking water, and 60% do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities. In the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, the current water supply satisfies only 60% of the demand of the population, and 25% of the waste generated within the city is left unattended.

Habitat Ethiopia asked if Twin Cities Habitat could help by funding a WaSH (water, sanitization and hygiene) program. The work will be done in areas where Habitat homes have already been built and it will connect 1,120 people to safe, clean drinking water and communal toilets.

Twin Cities Habitat hopes to lead Global Village trips of local volunteers to work in Ethiopia in the coming years. These groups will most likely help build a home alongside the family that'll be living there. Being a part of a Global Village trip can be the experience of a lifetime. You travel with a small group (usually 15-20 people) and are led by experienced Twin Cities Habitat staff. Trips are between 10 days and two weeks typically and always include cultural activities to help you learn and understand the country where you're working. No previous international travel experience or construction experience are required.

To learn more about Twin Cities Habitat's Global Engagement Program please click the banner below.