A Meaningful Story Behind the Photo

What do you make of this picture at first glance? Be honest—a bird’s nest? A scarecrow-like contraption to ward off pigeons in a field? Or maybe a handmade toy crafted for a child?

If you guessed any of the above, you’re off the mark.

Those familiar with the indigenous t’əla betoch—local drink houses—in parts of Addis Ababa and beyond might be tempted to think it’s a rustic placard advertising the brew within. But alas, that’s another swing and a miss.

I’ve always believed in the journalistic adage that “every picture tells a story.” That said, I’ve also seen plenty of images that fall flat, failing to communicate anything at all. On the other hand, there are photographs so profound they become part of the historical record—quietly documenting time, place, and hardship with visceral honesty. A powerful photograph, unlike a painting or a written piece, feels like unfiltered reality, captured without an intermediary.

There's a beautiful Amharic verse that expresses this idea:

yaləfutΪn gizeyat fit ləfit amt’Ϊto ləmΪn aynagər yΪnagəral foto which roughly means, “Bringing the past vividly to the fore—yes indeed, the photo tells a tale.”

This is not just poetic sentiment. It’s a testimony to the image’s unique power to unearth forgotten moments, to collapse the distance between past and present.

Today’s piece is anchored in such a photograph. The image, captured by Jane Strachan—USAID/OFDA Program Officer during a site visit—speaks volumes. But before diving into the story it tells, a little context is in order.

USAID/OFDA’s Hygiene Promotion Awareness Training was designed with a clear goal: shift attitudes and behaviors around sanitation and break the cycle of disease fueled by poor water access and hygiene practices. Especially in disaster-affected areas, USAID has funded a range of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects—from building wells and latrines to promoting hand washing and safe water use.

The change is real—and measurable. Communities are starting to embrace hygienic practices with intention. And that’s what makes this story a quiet triumph: a story of resilience, adaptation, and creative ingenuity in the face of systemic challenges.

In a country where piped water to every household remains a distant goal—particularly in rural and some urban areas—promoting hygiene isn’t just necessary, it’s urgent. Most communities depend on government support, understandably so. Yet the real transformation begins when individuals take ownership and apply what they’ve learned in meaningful, sustainable ways.

This is where our photograph enters the scene.

It was taken in Harawa 7 district of the Bale region, roughly 650 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. In it, you see the handmade hand-washing station crafted by a community member who had recently completed OFDA-funded training. Though his name remains unknown, his actions speak louder than any attribution ever could.

He didn’t just learn; he acted. He built a rudimentary latrine and placed this clever device beside it—so his family would never forget to wash their hands after using the toilet.

Remarkable, isn’t it?

He translated theoretical knowledge into practical impact using only the limited resources around him. And that, in essence, is creativity—not divine invention, but the human capacity to reimagine, recombine, and repurpose ideas in new ways. To quote the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State University: “Creativity is an effective resource that resides in all people and within all organizations.”

All it takes is commitment. Time. And the will to make something better.

This anonymous individual defined a problem, believed in the tools he’d been given, generated a solution, and followed through. That deserves recognition.

What we see in this photograph is not just a structure of sticks or string. We see determination. Poverty, yes—but more importantly, persistence. No caption is needed. The image speaks for itself.

Isn’t it inspiring to know that creativity—unfettered by wealth or recognition—can ripple outward and touch lives?

And doesn’t it remind us that a single photo, captured at the right moment, can echo with the wisdom of ages?

Have a meaningful and joyful Məlkam samΪnt!week.