Bedellu

Bedellu has worked as a janitor and guard at Felege Birhan School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the past eight years. He says this school is a lot different from other schools because the teachers not only lead classes, but they give special attention to building the character of the students. The teachers aim to foster a culture of integrity and respect.

Many parents in the neighborhood face a difficult situation as they try to provide for their children and their education on a low salary. Some parents have to work multiple jobs while others have to cut down on their expenses. This puts a lot of stress and pressure on the parents, as well as on the children who may feel guilty or anxious about their family's financial situation.

Yet, "when I see the students enjoying their day and going home, I feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment," Bedellu says. "I know that I have done my best to provide them with a safe environment. I also feel hopeful for their future, knowing that they have learned valuable skills and knowledge that will help them achieve their goals."

At this school serving more than 700 students, Bedellu shares that he is proud to contribute to their health and wellbeing so they are able to learn.

Before Splash began working in Felege Birhan School in 2022, Bedellu says that water use among students and staff was not efficient and they did not treat the equipment with care. Now, they are more careful with the equipment and their use of water has significantly improved. As part of Splash's work, Bedellu received training on operating and maintaining the infrastructure, like drinking water and handwashing stations and water storage. He now has a lot of experience and feels confident he can fix the equipment when needed.

Bedellu's role is a key part of Splash's overall model: janitors are integral to students' health and hygiene. The knowledge Bedellu has about how to fix and maintain infrastructure ensures the systems we install are sustainable so kids can access safe water for years to come.