On December 18, 2025, GFoundation marked an important milestone with the official handover of the KOICA–GFoundation School WASH Project to 10 public schools in the Oromia Region, including Sheger City and the Sebeta and Gelan Guda sub-cities.
The ceremony represented more than the conclusion of a project. It signaled the beginning of long-term ownership by schools, teachers, and students—ensuring that clean water, safe sanitation, and healthy hygiene practices continue beyond the project period.
A Shared Commitment From Partners and Schools
The event brought together GFoundation staff, colleagues from GFoundation headquarters in Korea, and representatives from the KOICA Ethiopia Office, including the Deputy Country Director and Program Manager.
School directors, teachers, and education officers from Oromia, Sheger, Sebeta, and Gelan Guda also attended, reflecting strong local commitment to sustaining the project’s impact.
Real Change in Students’ Daily Lives
For many students, access to clean toilets, safe water, and hygiene education has already transformed daily routines at school.
“Before this project, keeping our school clean was very difficult,” shared a student WASH Club member.
“Now we know how to protect our health, and we teach other students to do the same.”
Throughout the project, schools received improved WASH facilities, hygiene materials, and hands-on training. Teacher- and student-led WASH Clubs were formed to promote healthy behaviors, not only in classrooms but also across surrounding communities.
Ownership and Leadership at the School Level
During the handover ceremony, teachers and school leaders shared how they plan to sustain the impact of the project.
“This project helped our students develop responsibility,” said a school director.
“They now take ownership of cleaning, maintenance, and hygiene practices. This is real change.”
Three schools—Melka Sebeta School, Haru Jila School, and Iffa Boru Dimma School—were recognized for outstanding performance, demonstrating how student leadership and strong school management can drive success.
Other participating schools committed to:
- Allocating budgets for facility maintenance
- Strengthening WASH Clubs
- Continuing hygiene education, especially for girls
Ongoing Challenges and the Need for Continued Support
Despite strong commitments, schools continue to face challenges. Limited resources make it difficult to maintain facilities, replace materials, and expand hygiene training as student populations grow.
“We are ready to continue,” one teacher explained,
“but we still need partners who believe in our children’s future.”
Looking Ahead
Although the KOICA–GFoundation School WASH Project has officially concluded, participating schools remain strongly committed to maintaining facilities and sustaining healthy hygiene behaviors. At the same time, they have expressed the need for ongoing technical guidance, monitoring, and financial support to ensure long-term success.
With continued support from partners and donors, these schools can protect students’ health, promote dignity—especially for girls—and create lasting change in their communities.
Together, we can ensure that clean water, safe sanitation, and healthy hygiene practices continue to transform the lives of children in Ethiopia.
