The Oasis Foundation
Grace Village
Ethiopia

Kelakil - Schistosomiasis Eradication Project

Background to this Project

One community within the boundaries of the catchment area of Tahtay Koraro was found to be gravely ill, the population had been displaced to what was believed to be a safe location. The National Research Institute had done a study and concluded that the illness was due to an alkaloid poisoning which was causing liver and spleen enlargement leading to illness and even death, on average sixty has died per annum.

Emergency measures were instituted whereby simple houses were built and tents given for schooling and basic food supplies were also provided to local authorities to help this vulnerable group of the Tahtay Koraro community. In 2007 the local Social Affairs mentioned this group to  Sr. Catharina van den Bosch, so that she and her team went to see them. The team was shocked by what they saw:

• Orphaned children
• Emaciated children
• Teachers trying to teach under trees with little or no supplies

When they talked with the people they found out also that:

• The hospital feared that the disease was contaminating so that the people of Kelakil were ‘kept outside’
• In town the general public would distance themselves from the Kelakil people, covering their noses and even crossing the streets to distance themselves from the Kelakil people.

The level of marginalization was tragic and people were dying.

Project Setting

The location is divided between the original communities, which is in Kelakil proper, which is found alongside a river. The men folk return there to farm their land thus further exposing themselves to ill heath and disease. The second site is where the population has been displaced to, where the farm land belongs to another group of people who also distance themselves from these ‘Kelakil people’. It is here that the Oasis Foundation is assisting the community.

Existing Programs in the Area

The Regional Government helped with building the houses and provided the tents; The Oasis Foundation found these stored away, the community never having erected a tent before needed instructions to perform the task. Once erected the tents are now the basis of their school, there is another brick school nearby but sadly the Kelakil children are not permitted to attend there because of fear.

The Regional Government is very concerned about this community and was the one to initiate research and studies of this susceptible people group. The National Research Institute (NRI) undertook the first study and more recently the Center for Disease Control (CDC), has also produced the first report of its findings.(attached herewith)

Statement of development need

To clearly identify and confirm the cause of disease and to endeavor to eradicate the cause at the original site; repatriating the community back to its home site, where their farm land is located, providing adequate support for good survival, adequate livelihood, health and educational facilities.

Major Development Objectives
A. To confirm the identified cause or causes of such grave illness necessitating displacing a whole community and treat the affected population, environment and vectors with appropriate treatments.

B. To repatriate the Kelakil community back to their original home area providing the support required for such return.

Project Design

• The Oasis Foundation has built up an excellent rapport with the people of community, therefore dialogue with they should first of all be consulted with and their ideas considered for the way forward. Many would like to return home to the original site and indeed do because their farm land is there; leaving the children and women folk in the displaced ‘temporary site’. These men are key in finding the way forward for the whole.
• The Oasis Foundation must work in close collaboration with the Regional Health Bureau, the multilateral and bilateral agencies involved to date, the research authorities consulted, and line departments related to environment, agriculture, sanitation, education and health to plan for a solution that is lasting and results in a return to normalcy for this displaced people.
• The Oasis Foundation is willing to implement the project provided the following conditions are met:
• That there is a confirmed diagnosis of the plight of the Kelakil community by National Research Institute (NRI) and Control of Disease Center (CDC), with  their combined suggestions for resolving the problem
• That all associated line departments collaborate in providing experts to determine the best way forward and see it through together with the Oasis Foundation.
• That multilateral and bilateral work closely with The Oasis Foundation in supplying necessary tools and provision for Kelakil to ensure these are distributed fairly and used by the most vulnerable.
• That resources are made available for the project (see budget)
• Consultation with line departments will be ongoing until the conclusion of the project.