Ethiopia 2015: Diary #1 from Yorkshire Water's volunteers

We are here on our second day and starting to get stuck in and have more of an understanding of the challenges facing Bishoftu Water Utilities.

We attended a meeting with Bishoftu Water utilities to discuss issues which they currently face and the plan for the rest of 2015. We then visited a number of sites to get an increased idea of the issues on individual sites.
 
Nigel, a leakage technician, has seen that leakage is an issue with 40% of water produced lost through various ways, but mainly leaking from mains. Leaks are unable to be detected until water shows through the ground which could take weeks or months.
 
Joel, a Field Technician, is going to be working alongside Bishoftu Utilities on how to manage the network in a more efficient way and suggest improvements in network management which will benefit the company.
 
Anna, a Water Quality Scientist, will be making suggestions on how to improve water quality in a variety of ways. She has seen that there are a number of small changes which can make a huge difference in the future.
 
In Bishoftu the production capacity is 12,000 m3/d with an ever increasing population. This is also based on an assumption of 40 litres per person per day but recent evaluation has suggested this is nearer 80 litres!
 
Ethiopia has increased its water supply coverage from 19% to 52% and although sanitation has improved by 24% the coverage is significantly less than that of the clean water network. After meeting many Ethiopians and being treat like royalty over the last few days it seems such a shame that so many of these people are suffering in ways we could only imagine from Yorkshire.

We have seen that Bishoftu have got big plans for the near future and we cant wait to help support them where we can.





The Yorkshire Water staff out in Ethiopia. (From left to right): Joel Tidswell, Field Technician; Anna Warrington, Water Quality Scientist; Nigel Riley, Leakage Inspector

Top accolade for WaterAid volunteer

A Yorkshire Water employee has received recognition for her support of WaterAid.
Erica Lack who lives in Sheffield was presented with WaterAid’s Speaker of the Year award at the charity’s Annual Supporter’s Meeting on October 10 by Tim Clark, WaterAid chair of trustees.
Erica was nominated for the award for always going that extra mile, supporting Yorkshire Water’s WaterAid committee, the Sheffield Local Group and volunteering to attend meetings to talk about the work of WaterAid despite her busy day job.
“Whatever she turns her hand to, her passion and inspiration shines through. She is inclusive, supporting and always encouraging others to get involved, and everything she does is to a very high standard,” says her nomination.

Erica (right) with Rebecca Dallinson, WaterAid's speaker co-orindator

Since getting involved with the charity six years ago Erica has helped to organise a range of events that include fishing competitions, corporate balls, quizzes, art events, dances, talks and much more!
On receiving the award she said: “My nomination for this award was a surprise, as I know I am just one of many dedicated WaterAid volunteers.
“I am very flattered to be given this award and it is lovely recognition for the small part I have played in some wonderful events which have raised much needed funds for a life changing charity”.
Yorkshire Water’s CEO Richard Flint said: “This award is testament to the hard work and determination that Erica has put in over the years.
“It embeds what we do as a company, working with a great charity like WaterAid to give people around the world access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
“It was a triple celebration that evening as former employee and volunteer speaker for WaterAid Meryl Knapp from Leeds received the same award as Erica and David McGlinchey also from Leeds picked up the President’s Award, WaterAid’s highest accolade. A huge accomplishment.”
Dave Hillyard, WaterAid's Head of Major Partnerships said: "Erica goes the extra mile for WaterAid, being active on the Yorkshire Water Committee, Sheffield Local Group and Speakers Network even though she has a very busy day job.
“Whether it is speaking at a WI meeting, playing 'poopla' with a scout group, or running a pub quiz, Erica’s passion and inspiration to see a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water and safe toilets, shines through. She is always encouraging others to get involved too, ensuring whatever is being delivered is done to the highest standard."

Royal seal of approval for WaterAid volunteer

A Yorkshire Water employee has received royal recognition for his support of WaterAid.
David McGlinchey, of Yeadon, Leeds, is one of three dedicated supporters to be awarded WaterAid’s highest honour, The President’s Award. He was presented with a certificate personally signed by WaterAid’s president HRH The Prince of Wales, at the charity’s Annual Supporters Meeting on October 10.
“I feel privileged and honoured and am really proud of the great team of volunteers that support me,” said David.
“I am really excited that we have made a difference at Glastonbury with the Loos Brothers helping raise awareness, and hopefully bringing a smile. The amazing thing about the people that WaterAid help is their strength, their ability to survive, but most important their ability to smile and celebrate what they have.
“My dream, which I genuinely hold, is that by 2030 everyone will have a tap and everywhere will have a toilet and I would encourage everyone to join us in achieving that aim.”

David and his wife Fiona

David has been involved with WaterAid for the last 20 years. But it was following his trip to Uganda in 2008 that he returned evermore passionate and determined to make a difference, taking over as vice-chair of the Yorkshire WaterAid Committee.
Since he took over the role in 2009 the committee has raised £1.2 million to date.
Yorkshire Water’s CEO Richard Flint said: “This award is testament to the hard work and determination that David has put in over the last two decades.
“It embeds what we do as a company, working with a great charity like WaterAid to give people around the world access to safe water, anitation and hygiene.

“And as well as David receiving this royal seal of approval it was a real achievement having former employee Meryl Knapp pick up the Speaker of the Year award. The award acknowledges volunteers that go above and beyond, so another huge accomplishment.”
Meryl who lives in Leeds has been a dedicated supporter of WaterAid for a long time, and is desperately passionate about getting new people engaged, her nomination says.
“Meryl is courageous and is always up for a new challenge, whether it be petitioning in her local area, or delivering a workshop to a scout group.”

Meryl with Rebecca Dallinsion, WaterAid's speaker co-orindator

Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid said: “David’s total commitment to and enthusiasm for WaterAid’s work is an inspiration to many. He’s been a dedicated WaterAid supporter for more than 20 years. David is a member of our speaker network, he’s a campaigner, fundraiser, and most famously WaterAid songwriter and dedicated Glastonbury Loos Brother!
“In 2013 he was instrumental in developing a new five-year partnership with WaterAid Ethiopia, pledging to raise £1 million and linking up water sector professionals in Yorkshire and Ethiopia to build capacity in partners and communities. I am delighted to recognise his dedication with the President’s Award."

TAPS BEAT TOILETS IN CHARITY FOOTBALL CLASH

 

Almost £2,000 was raised for international charity WaterAid thanks to a 5-aside football tournament in Bradford which included a match between a set of giant taps and toilets.

A total of 22 teams and 159 people competed in the light-hearted charity event for Yorkshire Water colleagues at Bradford Goals, with the four-figure sum raised going to WaterAid.

That money will be enough to give over 100 people that the charity works with in the developing world lasting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

To celebrate the important work that the charity does on drinking and waste water, a 5-aside match between 10 players dressed in taps and toilets was held. The taps “ran” the show, winning 2-1.

Connor Harper from Yorkshire Water said: “We were delighted with the number of people that got involved in the tournament and the money raised really will make a big difference to a massive number of people.”

 

BENEVOLENT BEER DRINKERS BACK CHARITY

 

Beer drinkers in Leeds city centre have given 130 people in Africa lasting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene following a £2,000 donation last weekend.

Visitors to the Leeds International Beer Festival last weekend donated spare tokens to Yorkshire Water colleagues collecting on behalf of international charity WaterAid.

The four-day festival fundraising effort, which also included merchandise sales, will make a real difference to the lives of people in Ethiopia, one of the key areas of focus for WaterAid.

Dave McGlinchey from Yorkshire Water, who volunteering to represent WaterAid at the event, said: “We were amazed by how generous people were over the four days and really impressed with the organisation of the event itself.

“That £2,000 will have such a big impact on the lives of the people that WaterAid works with. We’d like to encourage our customers to help make a difference to people across the wider developing world by donating just £3 with a text of SAFEWATER to 70300.”

Darren Potter, Organiser of Leeds International Beer Festival, said: “We're absolutely thrilled by the total amount raised for Water Aid at the 3rd Leeds international Beer Festival. As our official charity for the second consecutive year we've developed a strong relationship with Water Aid and audiences have shown their generous support by making donations that will contribute to the crucial work that Water Aid undertake. We look forward to continuing our support of Water Aid at future Beer Festivals and developing the relationship further.”

A petition has been set up to make sure that water and sanitation make their shortlist after they failed to prioritise it back in 2000 when it was last discussed. You can sign the petition at www.wateraid.org/uk/YorkshireEE

SMURFS, VIKINGS AND MINIONS DESCEND ON WHITBY FOR REGATTA

 

Teams of smurfs, Vikings, minions, Romans and even Dennis The Menaces battled it out on Whitby’s coast as part of a charity regatta.

The light-hearted contest was put on by Yorkshire Water and raised over £2,500 for the international charity WaterAid, enough to give more than 150 people lasting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

A total of 19 teams took to the water, rowing out of the harbour and racing back in traditional wooden rowing boats in aid of the good cause. The winning team was the ‘Out of our Skulls’ crew with ‘The Pillage People’, dressed as a team of Vikings, winning the all important best fancy dress honour.

Helena Stocks from Yorkshire Water said: “We had a fantastic day in aid of such a good cause and it was a real pleasure to see so many people turning out and throwing themselves into the spirit of things.

“I think the people of Whitby must have wondered what was going on when these armies of oddly dressed people were descending on their town but we got lots of support despite the grey weather and it was a really enjoyable day.”

A petition has been set up to make sure that water and sanitation make their shortlist after they failed to prioritise it back in 2000 when it was last discussed. You can sign the petition at www.wateraid.org/uk/YorkshireEE

Yorkshire Water is encouraging its customers to help make a difference to people across the wider developing world by donating just £3 to WaterAid with a text of SAFEWATER to 70300.

Yorkshire Water raises £175,800 for WaterAid

Yorkshire Water is celebrating after raising a massive £175,800 for international charity WaterAid over the last 12 months.

This is enough to transform the lives of 11,720 people through the charity’s tireless work to improve access to safe, clean water.

The Bradford-based company has raised enough cash to provide 1,369 toilets in Ethiopia through its lottery and payroll giving. And 121 members of staff took part in national challenge events including the Great North Run, Watercycle and 6peaks, 24 Peaks and WaterAid 200 walking events. These events have been enough to raise money for 22 handpumps.

Thirteen employees who are part of the WaterAid speaker network also gave 21 talks, reaching 1,624 people. This included 14 school talks for 1,292 pupils.

The cash raised from the company, WaterAid committee and employee fundraising could help 7,943 people around the world to get safe water and improved toilets.

Barbara Frost, chief executive of WaterAid said: “On behalf of everyone at WaterAid I would like to thank Yorkshire Water for helping us bring safe water and sanitation to some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Gaining access to water and sanitation really does transform lives; improving health, education and livelihoods and forming the first, essential step in overcoming poverty. The amazing support we receive from businesses and individuals is vital as we work towards a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water to drink and a safe place to go to the toilet.”

David McGlinchey, Vice Chair of Yorkshire Water’s WaterAid committee, said: “We’re very proud of our continuing support for WaterAid and being part of such a long-standing partnership that is making a huge difference to some of the world’s poorest people.

“We hope to raise even more money this year for WaterAid and have plenty of events planned over the next month with colleagues such as a 5-a-side football tournament, Watercycle Challenges and a 10K run at Ogden, Halifax. Not forgetting our biggest fund-raising event, our ball in October.

“Customers can also help by donating just £3 by texting SAFEWATER to 70300.”

Yorkshire Water is also supporting WaterAid to lobby world leaders who are meeting in New York in September to discuss a set of international development priorities for the next 15 years.