By Leslie Hawthorne Klingler
The Kale Heywet Church (KHC) of Ethiopia is five million members strong and has over five thousand local cogregations. It is a stable, influential organization committed to addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of its members and neighbors.

The KHC requested Lifewater training in water development in 2003. Since then, Lifewater has sent four teams of Volunteer Trainers to instruct KHC promoters in the areas of pump repair, hygiene, and sanitation.

The latest Lifewater training for KHC staff took place in July 2005. Lifewater Volunteer Trainers conducted a five-day sanitation training with the KHC hygiene and sanitation promoters. Generous, humble, joyful, and faithful were a few of the words the Volunteer Trainers used to describe the promoters. They said that it was a tremendous privilege to work with such a cohesive, dedicated group of believers.

“On the last day we did a foot washing. Praying for those young men and women and washing their feet— they were worn and scarred—I could feel the heart of the Lord in them. ‘Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news,’ kept resounding in my head. Then they washed our feet, put us in the middle of the room, and prayed for us. It was powerful.” Diane Foss, Volunteer Trainer

“The experience cemented in my head that this is the type of partnership that we should be after. The Kale Heywet Church is a group that is very committed to Jesus. It is also committed to fighting against poverty and to bringing in holistic development. If anyone in Ethiopia is going to be successful, it’s going to be them.” Sam Moore, Sanitation Coordinator