Moving mountains is not just a biblical image when political will is present and the community rallies around a common goal. Some 20 years after a severe drought and political turmoil caused a devastating famine that claimed more than a million victims in Ethiopia, a village has successfully tamed the desert to fight drought and soil erosion in the northern province of Tigray. Abr’ha Weatsbaha’s community leader, Aba Hawi, has made good on the ancient practice of summoning every able-bodied man and woman over 18 years of age to report for 20 days of compulsory community labor each year. Over the past decade, they have successfully terraced mountains, transforming 94 acres of former desert into fertile fields. Hopefully a powerful example for neighboring districts of what is possible when the public interest trumps.
Community labor creates an oasis in the Ethiopian desert
More of Today's Solutions
6 ways to take back your motivation
Uncertainty about the future, being distant from friends, challenges with mental and physical health, and constantly staying in the same environment have all been ...
Read MoreThree types of plants that will thrive in your kitchen
There’s nothing like a little indoor greenery to brighten up your home, especially if you live in an apartment where there’s no space for ...
Read More5 Surprising myths about vitamin D
In the article we wrote about the telltale signs that your body needs more vitamin D, we pointed out that around 42 percent of ...
Read MoreAn “exercise pill” could be in our reach
Exercise is necessary for maintaining physical and mental health, and improving our quality and length of life. But for people who find it difficult ...
Read More
