A quiet transformation occurs in the heart of Yallo Woreda, Afar Region. Endaytu, a mother of four, recalls her family’s struggles before AIRD and hygiene promoters brought change to their community.

“Our children were often sick. We didn’t know the importance of keeping our compound clean or the dangers of drinking unsafe water,” Endaytu shares. Her voice carries the weight of years spent battling illnesses that disrupted her children’s education and her ability to provide for them.

Before the intervention, many families like Endaytu’s lacked knowledge about basic hygiene practices. Rubbish piles dotted the landscape, jerrycans used for water storage were rarely cleaned, and shared restrooms were left in poor condition. These habits fueled preventable diseases that crippled the community’s productivity and hope.

Then came the hygiene promoters who were trained and paid by AIRD, armed with knowledge and a mission to bring change. They visited homes, sat with families, and taught them step by step. They demonstrated how to wash utensils properly, clean and store jerrycans, and safely handle water. They encouraged households to build rubbish pits and maintain clean toilets.

The community mobilization extended beyond homes. Public spaces such as schools, marketplaces, and health facilities were cleaned, creating visible proof of the power of collective action. Markets, a hub for traders from Afar, Amhara, and Tigray, became a focal point for spreading awareness. Through focus group discussions and mass mobilization campaigns, the message reached thousands.

Endaytu smiles as she gestures to her now well-kept compound. “I see the difference. My children are healthier and can go to school every day. I’ve learned to take better care of our home, and now I teach my neighbors the same.”

Her story is echoed by others in the community. Parents have seen fewer illnesses in their children, and women like Endaytu have reclaimed time previously spent nursing the sick. The once-littered marketplace is now cleaner, benefiting the surrounding regions that rely on it.

Through this partnership, AIRD and the hygiene promoters hope to reach over 5,000 people in Yallo Woreda, instilling practices that save lives and strengthen livelihoods. The community has not only embraced a cleaner environment but also the idea that change begins with them.

As Endaytu reflects on the journey, she says, “We’ve learned that small actions—like cleaning our water containers or sweeping our compounds—can bring big changes. We now know the value of living in a clean environment, and we won’t return to the old ways.”

Yallo Woreda is now a beacon of hope, proving that communities can transform their health, environment, and future with the right support and commitment. AIRD has made all this possible.