Bringing the Stories Home: COWASH IV Communities Watch Their Documentaries
27 November 2025
COWASH IV team is showing its documentary series titled “Empowering Communities, Transforming Communities” back to the communities whose stories are captured in the films from five of its project regions. The six-part documentary series, celebrates the spirit of community ownership and leadership. Beyond their work implementing and managing WASH infrastructure, the communities played the central role in the production, telling their own stories with genuine honesty and in a compelling manner. During regular fieldwork travels, the project team shows the films to these communities often to an overwhelming response and appreciation. 
In a dedicated trip on November 14, 2025, the COWASH IV team traveled to The Edo village, in Sidama Region, to screen the documentary titled “Beyond WASH: A Success Story,” which was filmed in their area. Team members notice a great joy and a warm welcome from the gathered residents, who were deeply moved to see their stories shared with neighbors and friends on screen. Another film in the series, “Building with Savings: Community Ownership,” was recently shown during a gathering in Wengecho and Geta Villages in Central Ethiopia.
The project emphasizes that these community leaders are central to its work, demonstrating that community ownership is key to generating sustainable and lasting change that goes beyond the establishment of physical infrastructure.
In addition to the community viewings, the documentaries have been used to share best practices with high-level audiences including International, Federal, regional and Woreda-level stakeholders who have participated in the project.
