STORY: Chinese foundation hands over water cellars to rural Ethiopian communities
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 28, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:08
LOCATION: Addis Ababa
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Amharic): DUGUMA KENA, Administration head of Melka District
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): YIN QIAN, CFRD Ethiopia Office Country Director
4. various of the ceremony

STORYLINE:

On Friday, the China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) gave much-needed water cellar facilities to central Ethiopian rural communities.

A special ceremony was held at Obaay Primary School on the outskirts of Dukem Town, about 33 km east of the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. This marked the completion and official handover of 40 water cellars.

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG), aims to address the long-standing challenge of limited access to clean water in rural areas.

Local government officials and community members expressed their gratitude for the new facilities, praising CFRD and its partners for their crucial support in providing clean water sources.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Amharic): DUGUMA KENA, Administration head of Melka District
"While many investors and organizations engage with the community, this collaboration serves as a model for others, offering hope and a brighter future for residents including young students. Initiatives such as school feeding programs, water cellar facilities, gardening projects, and the donation of educational materials exemplify this commitment."

Yin Qian, Country Director for CFRD's Ethiopia office, said that the latest handover of water cellars highlights his organization's commitment to improving the quality of life in Ethiopia's rural communities.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): YIN QIAN, CFRD Ethiopia Office Country Director
"We are excited that with XCMG's support, we were able to bring the water cellar project to contribute to sustainable rainwater management and improve water supply in Obey School and the surrounding communities. The water cellar project started in 2017. With support from XCMG, 201 water cellars have been built in rural areas of Ethiopia to provide access to clean and safe water in a renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way, benefiting more than 12,000 people."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Addis Ababa.
(XHTV)