Engineer Gebreyes Haile
Founder, Support for Sustainable Development (SSD)
(1936 – 2019 G.C.)
Support for Sustainable Development (SSD) is a Labour of Love that came to life in the twilight years of Engineer Gebreyes Haile Habte, a visionary Ethiopian, who brought all his passion, knowledge and stellar lifelong experience to bear on a local nonprofit organisation specialising in irrigation-based sustainable development.
His humble beginnings in the small village of Sentema, Kefa region in 1936 (GC) did not, in any way, foretell the giant and indelible footprints he will end-up leaving behind, across the country, the region and in the hearts and minds of millions of people.
What he lacked in material riches as a child, God bestowed upon him faith and reliance on hard work, sense of duty and service, work ethics, sense of justice, fairness, accountability, kindness, compassion and generosity, all values and principles that imbued his existence.
Throughout his 83 years, whether working for private, for profit organisations, public enterprises or non-profit organisations, he gave it his all by squarely focusing on the people he sought to serve. That ultimately was his passion and his raison d’être.
An irrigation expert, he crisscrossed the country in search of rivers to tame and draw upon to enhance food security and livelihoods of vulnerable people living in the margins of society in the most unlikely of places, turning dry seemingly wastelands into green oases. Engineer Gebreyes Haile spent his lifetime working tirelessly for the poor and forgotten communities of Ethiopia. He built over 150 irrigation systems in the country; most of them are still running, managed by the communities themselves. “He was a larger-than-life personality who commands respect,” says Sam Vander Ende, a colleague of Eng. Gebreyes.
A leader with established credibility and trust, Engineer Gebreyes Haile gained the support of many individuals and organisations, both locally here in Ethiopia but also from various countries in Europe and the Americas.
Engineer Gebreyes founded and led SSD as the General Manager from 2003 until he was called home in February 2019. His legacy lives on.
Vision
SSD aspires to see the rural and peri-urban poor pastoralists and farming communities free from poverty and marginalization.
Mission
Enhance the capacities of the communities to become self-sustained through promoting integrated community development programs.
Overall Goal
The Overall Goal of SSD is to sustainably enhance the livelihood of target groups through increasing food and income security, promoting basic social services and protecting and managing the environment.
Values
Fairness and equity
Impact oriented
Accountability
Inclusiveness
Independence
Transparency
Moral & Ethical Integrity
Communication & Collaboration
Environmentally conscious
Certificates and Recognitions
Awards
