Transforming Lives with Solar-Powered Water in Awigera, Afar Region

On April 2, 2026, Imagine1day, in partnership with ECW-FER, inaugurated a solar-powered water supply system for the Awigera community and school in Chifra District, Afar Region, Ethiopia. The inauguration was attended by Fekir Mohammed, Representative of the Afar Region Education Bureau and Strategic Partnership Directorate Team Leader; Aiysha Mohammed, Representative of the Afar Region Water and Energy Bureau Directorate Director; Wogris Hafa, Representative of the Chifra District Administrator; Mohammed Surur, Chifra District Vice Administrator; and Mohammed Duba, Head of the Chifra District Education Office.

The initiative marks another significant milestone in expanding sustainable, climate-resilient water solutions for vulnerable communities in Ethiopia, while improving access to safe water for both schoolchildren and the wider community.

The newly installed solar system is connected to an existing borehole. It is designed to provide reliable, safe, and sustainable water access to both the surrounding community and essential public institutions. The project will serve 4,072 community members and 313 students, significantly improving access to clean water for domestic, educational, and health-related purposes. The water supply infrastructure includes four water points strategically designed to serve different segments of the community: one water point dedicated to the school, one for the health center, and two for the wider community. In addition, the system includes a reservoir with a storage capacity of 50 cubic meters, ensuring continuous water availability even during periods of peak demand.

For communities in dry and drought-prone areas like Afar, access to reliable water remains one of the most pressing challenges affecting health, education, and livelihoods. The installation of the solar-powered water system is therefore a transformative intervention that directly contributes to improving living conditions, strengthening resilience, and enhancing educational outcomes.

Students, particularly girls, often bear the burden of water collection in water-scarce areas, leading to absenteeism and reduced learning time. By bringing clean water closer to schools and communities, the project helps create a more conducive learning environment while reducing the physical and time burden associated with fetching water. The health center water point will also support improved hygiene and sanitation services, contributing to better public health outcomes.

What is more, solar systems are environmentally friendly, produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, and rely on renewable energy from the sun, an abundant resource in the Afar region. They also significantly reduce operational and maintenance costs, as they eliminate the recurring expense of fuel purchase and transportation. That makes solar-powered systems more reliable in remote areas where fuel access and electricity infrastructure are limited or inconsistent.

This installation represents the third solar-powered water system implemented by Imagine1day, following similar installations in South Ethiopia and Oromia region.

 

Strengthening Education Quality Across Ethiopia: A Strategic Investment in Learning Outcomes

Imagine1day continues to advance its commitment to improving education quality in Ethiopia through targeted, high-impact interventions. Only in April 2026, the organization distributed more than 21,000 reference books recommended by the Ministry of Education to 239 secondary schools across five regions: South Ethiopia, Afar, Amhara, Tigray, and Oromia. The distribution is part of the Leaders in Teaching Ethiopia (LiTE) program, which Imagine1day has been implementing in partnership with Education Development Trust & Geneva Global.

This large-scale provision of academic resources addresses a critical gap in access to quality learning materials, an essential component for effective teaching and meaningful student engagement. By equipping schools with up-to-date, relevant reference books, Imagine1day is supporting both teachers and students in deepening subject comprehension, enhancing critical thinking, and improving academic performance.

The initiative comes at a crucial time, as Ethiopia faces the hardest challenge with the National Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination outcomes, where failure rates have reached concerning levels. Many students approach these exams underprepared and with limited access to adequate study materials, significantly affecting their chances of success.

Through this intervention, Imagine1day aims to help reverse this trend by strengthening the academic foundation of secondary education. The availability of high-quality reference materials is expected to create a ripple effect, not only improving immediate classroom learning but also fostering a culture of academic confidence and preparedness among students.

Ultimately, this effort aligns with Imagine1day’s broader vision of ensuring that every child in Ethiopia has access to quality education that enables them to reach their full potential. By investing in foundational learning resources today, the organization is helping to build a more capable, resilient, and educated generation for the future.

 

Investing in the Future of Education: Management-Led Fundraising for Maimisham Primary School Construction

As part of its continued commitment to strengthening access to quality education in Ethiopia, the Imagine1day management team has successfully mobilized 1.5 million ETB to support the construction of Maimisham Primary School in the Tigray region.

This initiative reflects a deliberate organizational culture of shared responsibility and active contribution. The management team’s decision to directly engage in fundraising is intended to reinforce a lived principle within Imagine1day: that leadership should not only coordinate development efforts but also actively participate in resource mobilization alongside supporters and partners.

The construction of Mai-Misha Primary School is expected to significantly improve learning conditions for children in the surrounding community, where access to adequate and safe school infrastructure has been a longstanding challenge. Once completed, the school will provide a more conducive environment for teaching and learning, helping to reduce overcrowding and improve student retention and performance.

This effort also aligns with Imagine1day’s broader approach of combining community-driven development, donor engagement, and internal leadership contribution to ensure sustainable impact. By taking an active role in fundraising, the management team seeks to set a practical example for partners, supporters, and staff, demonstrating that transformative education outcomes require collective effort at all levels.

Such initiatives continue to reinforce Imagine1day’s mission of improving access to quality education across Ethiopia, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment.

 

Measuring Progress, Inspiring Change: Quarterly Review meeting & Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

At Imagine1day, quality implementation is built on continuous learning, accountability, and evidence-based action. To ensure every project delivers meaningful and sustainable results, the organization conducts quarterly Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) activities alongside regular review meetings across all program areas.

Through structured field monitoring, stakeholder consultations, and data-driven assessments, Imagine1day systematically tracks progress against project objectives, identifies implementation gaps, and strengthens program effectiveness. These processes allow teams to respond to challenges on time while ensuring activities remain aligned with both organizational goals and community needs.

       

                     

Quarterly review meetings bring together project teams, consortium implementing partners, and key stakeholders to reflect on achievements, analyze lessons learned, and develop practical solutions for improvement. This collaborative process promotes transparency, strengthens ownership, and reinforces accountability at every level of implementation.

At Imagine1day, evaluation is a strategic tool for transformation beyond a reporting mechanism. Insights generated through monitoring and evaluation directly inform program adaptation, improve decision-making, and enhance long-term impact.

By encompassing learning into every stage of implementation, Imagine1day fosters a culture of reflection, innovation, and continuous improvement. This commitment ensures that every intervention is delivered with quality, relevance, and purpose—creating stronger education systems and brighter futures for children and communities across Ethiopia.

Because lasting change is not achieved by action alone, but by measuring progress, learning continuously, and improving intentionally.

 

 

Story: Breaking Barriers: Fana’s Journey from Rural Hardship to Statistician

“I felt lost and uncertain about my future. But the day I joined Imagine1day’s scholarship program, everything changed. It gave me direction, confidence, and hope,” says Fana Abrha, a 24-year-old statistician from Tigray, Ethiopia. “

Fana was born and grew up in Aynalem kebele of Kilte Awlaelo district, along with her five siblings. Her father worked as a farmer, and her mother, a housewife, managed the household amid persistent economic challenges. “We had very limited resources,” Fana says. “My parents worked so hard, but even basic school materials were sometimes beyond what we could afford.”

Despite these struggles, Fana’s academic potential shone brightly. However, without financial support, her dream of continuing her education felt out of reach. That changed when she was chosen by Imagine1day for a scholarship program designed to help talented students from underprivileged backgrounds.

“The support I received wasn’t just about money,” Fana explains. “It was holistic. It gave me a sense of belonging and motivation. Through the program, I received mentorship, scholastic materials, housing support, non-food items, and rent payments, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies. The intervention solved my economic challenges and gave me the tools to succeed in school. For the first time, I felt my dreams were valid.”

Fana graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from Dire Dawa University in 2022. Following her graduation, she chose to give back by volunteering with Imagine1day’s Tigray Programs Coordination Office, contributing to program documentation under the supervision of the HR and Admin section.

“Imagine1day is not just a workplace for me,” she says. “It’s my home. Being part of a dedicated team that works to reach disadvantaged communities gives me a deep sense of purpose.”

Now, as a mentor to other young people, Fana sees her role as part of a cycle of empowerment. “I know how it feels to doubt yourself,” she reflects. “That’s why I want to help others believe in their potential and never give up.” The ripple effect of the scholarship extended beyond Fana. Her mother, Hareya Gebreslasie, was also supported through a seed grant to start an income-generating activity. “I decided to start poultry farming,” Hareya explains. “Imagine1day gave me training and the capital to buy 15 chickens and feed. It was the first time I felt I could actually support my children financially.”

The small poultry business soon began to grow. “It helped cover Fana’s university expenses—transportation, clothing, hygiene materials,” Hareya says with pride. “Now I have 30 chickens, and our living conditions have improved. This support changed everything; it was a rebirth for our family. My family and I are very grateful to Imagine1day.”

Fana’s short-term goal is to continue working in education and youth development, while her long-term vision is to design impactful programs that help other students overcome barriers like she once did.

 

Story: A Dream Reborn in the Desert: Hasna’s Story

“I want to be a doctor so I can help my people,” Hasna Haysema says, gripping her pencil the way other children hold a favorite toy. “When someone is sick in our village, there is nowhere to go. I want to be that place.”

The 14-year-old speaks with a calm confidence that feels older than her years. Outside her classroom in Dubti, the Afar sun burns the soil pale, the same drought that pushed her out of school when she was only seven. “The animals were dying, the water was far, and my mother needed me at home,” she remembers. “I thought my learning had ended.”

For years, Hasna’s days were measured by jerrycans and dust storms. “I used to watch other children passing with their bags,” she says quietly. “I told myself, maybe education is not meant for a girl like me.”

Everything changed when community mobilizers came to talk about the Speed School accelerated program, supported by ECW-FER and delivered by Imagine1day and Geneva Global. “They told my mother, ‘Your daughter can return. She is still a student,’” Hasna recalls. “That day was the happiest day in my life.”

Hasna knows the road ahead is long. Drought still threatens, and many girls her age are preparing for early marriage. “Some neighbors say, ‘Why study so much? Life is hard,’” she admits. “But I tell them, ‘Because life is hard, we must study more.’”

When asked what kind of doctor she wants to be, she answers without hesitation. “A doctor for mothers and children. I have seen too many suffer.” She pauses, then adds, “No mother should cry because help is far away.”

“I am a desert girl,” she says with a confident smile, “and my education will help me grow and change my future.”