Embracing Social Accountability
In the rural woreda of Dire Teyara, Harari region, the transformative power of social accountability was showcased. The residents of this community had long grappled with a pressing issue: frequent electrical interruptions that seemed impossible to overcome. Frustration had settled in, and hope for change had dwindled. However, the winds of transformation began to blow when the Woreda Social Accountability Committee (WSAC) took charge.
The WSAC implemented the Citizens' Report Card (CRC) survey and crafted a Joint Action Plan (JAP) to tackle the main issue of electricity interruption. These tools empowered the committee and instilled a proactive mindset. Recognizing the importance of engaging with the Harari region electric utility, they tirelessly advocated for a resolution to the electrical disruptions that plagued their community.
The Harari region electric utility, moved by the resolute voices of the WSAC, recognized the urgency of the situation. With renewed focus, they decided to prioritize the issue and take swift action.
The impact was transformative through WSAC’s community wide awareness and education. The once-persistent electrical interruptions that cast a shadow over Dire Teyara significantly diminished. The community breathed a collective sigh of relief as the inconveniences and hardships caused by power outages became a distant memory. The restoration of consistent electricity supply brought newfound joy and a renewed sense of hope to every household.
The impact was transformative through WSAC’s community wide awareness and education. The once-persistent electrical interruptions that cast a shadow over Dire Teyara significantly diminished. The community breathed a collective sigh of relief as the inconveniences and hardships caused by power outages became a distant memory. The restoration of consistent electricity supply brought newfound joy and a renewed sense of hope to every household.
However, amidst this triumph, a disheartening incident unfolded. Some members of the community, harboring deep-seated frustration, damaged the property of the electric utility during the initial stages of service restoration.
The WSAC recognized that true change required more than just resolving the immediate issue at hand. They understood the need to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community. Determined to mend the broken bonds, they embarked on a comprehensive awareness campaign.
Through community-wide education, the WSAC imparted the importance of treating the property of the electricity office as their own. They emphasized collective responsibility, urging individuals to protect and preserve the services provided. The campaign aimed to cultivate a profound sense of belonging and empower the community to actively participate in shaping their own destiny.
Overtime, the seeds of change took root. The community embraced the message of social accountability, internalizing the idea that they had the power to improve their circumstances. A newfound spirit of unity and responsibility emerged, as individuals rallied together to safeguard the services that had become integral to their lives.