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Unicef was left around $2 million in the will of an Auckland woman, known only as Jennifer, who wanted to fund a water project to help children in Ethiopia. By giving her house to Unicef she was able to fulfil her charity wishes. The water system she funded is now bringing clean, pressurised water to 34,000 people across give villages.

In the rural highlands of Ethiopia, the name of one Auckland woman has become legend after her generosity changed lives for tens of thousands of people.

UNICEF In Ethiopia, less than a quarter of schools have appropriate water facilities and less than a third of healthcare facilities in the country have a water source.

They know her only as Jennifer - and that's all they know about her. Jennifer died two years ago and anonymously bequeathed her Remuera estate to Unicef.

She had believed her property to be worth around $400,000. By the time everything was finalised, her estate was worth closer to $2 million, and it was all used to help women and children on the other side of the world.

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UNICEF Enanu (left) and Banchayehu (right) used to walk hours every day to collect water, but that changed after an Auckland woman's donation to Unicef funded a clean, pressurised water system supplying 34,000 people in Ethiopia.

Jennifer had travelled throughout the horn of Africa in her younger years and Ethiopia, in particular, left a lasting impression on her. As her own was life winding down, she decided she wanted to give back.

The proceeds from Jennifer's estate have since been poured into a massive water project throughout the Ethiopian highlands. Now, 34,000 people across five villages have access to clean, pressurised water. The difference made by that infrastructure is life-changing, especially for women and children - who bear the brunt of water-collecting duties.

One woman, Enanu Kassa, says she led an almost nocturnal existence before construction of the water system, leaving her home early each morning to queue at the source.

UNICEF Enanu and Banchayehu are now part of a committee that looks after the water system, to ensure ongoing maintenance

"We'd have to get up at 1 or 2am to stand in a queue to collect water. But now we have plenty of water, enough for everyone - and we are happy."

Before the water system was constructed, people would rely upon unprotected water sources such as springs or surface water, which are prone to water-borne diseases and often very far away.

One woman said she would sometimes spend 17 hours a day taxiing 20-litre jerry cans back and forth from the nearest water source.

UNICEF Unicef representative for Ethiopia Gillian Mellsop - born and raised in New Zealand - holds a bundle of Meskel daisies at the inauguration of the new water system.

Another woman from the same village, Banchayehu, recalls a time she was pregnant and physically unable to complete the taxing journey.

"When I was pregnant, the doctor told me I couldn't do heavy lifting for three months. I couldn't fetch water during that time because I wasn't able to carry it."

She relied upon the grace of family members during those three months. Her husband has since died and she doesn't know how she would get by under those same circumstances today.

UNICEF Enanu and Banchayehu used to have to lug 20-litre jerry cans up and down the mountainous terrain of Ethiopia’s highlands.

"Now, because of the water pipe, we have no problems at all and everyone is treated equally."

Throughout Ethiopia less than a third of healthcare facilities have a nearby water source. Alemayehu Rete is a health officer at a nearby clinic, and says now having a protected water source is preventing the spread of disease.

"There are different waterborne diseases in this area, the most common one is diarrhoea. After the floods, water is contaminated and diseases spread more easily."

"I think this water system will go along way to solving that problem in this community."

Jennifer's gift won't just benefit those people currently living in the villages. The water system is expected to last generations, and the positive impact for younger generations is already being felt.

Semegn Asnake, 13 years old, used to walk to collect water during her lunch break at school.

"Our teacher would get annoyed at us because we'd be late back to class," she says. "It's very hard to concentrate in class without water."

The route to the closest water source would take her through two dark forests. The forest canopy is dense and lone girls are commonly attacked. Semegn has heard the stories, even if she herself was never attacked.

The task of collecting water is now far less time-consuming. A tap with running water is no more than 500 metres away for any villager.

With the novel luxury of spare time, Semegn likes to do her homework before the sun goes down and hopes to one day be a teacher. She's glad her younger brothers and sisters will never have to complete the arduous journey as she did.

Unicef's Ethiopia representative, Gillian Mellsop, was born and raised in New Zealand. With decades of experience in international development, her work has taken her all over the world, and she is particularly excited that the project is supplying water to six schools as well as three healthcare facilities.

"This means that children can attend school - particularly girls who will no longer have to skip classes to fetch water," she says.

"And it also means that health facilities can provide quality services for mothers and children, and the community at large."

She says the monthly cost to provide those services is only about $6 per person - less than the price of two coffees in New Zealand.

She also says that the local people want to know more about Jennifer. Who was she? Why did she think of Ethiopia? Was she aware of what a difference she would make? Even though details about her are scarce, Jennifer's impact has been enormous.

Belsti Ersaw, who worked on installation of the pumps, says people were doubtful when the project concept was first unveiled.

"The local people thought it was a dream. But when they saw water sputtering from the tap, they were very happy."

He says the local people have formed a committee, to take ownership over the system and work with local government to ensure ongoing maintenance.

And although that dream started with an Auckland woman named Jennifer, it doesn't end there.

Banchayehu and Enanu are both members of the maintenance committee, alongside several other women from the villages.

The same women who once walked every day to collect water are now taking steps to ensure that won't need to happen again.

Jennifer's generosity has changed countless lives. And while they know little beyond her name, the Ethiopian people she has helped, will never forget her kindness.

This article was supplied as part of a partnership with Unicef New Zealand. Unicefstands for every child so they can have a childhood. Leave a legacy for children today.

This article was supplied as part of Stuff's partnership with Unicef NZ. Unicef stands up for every child so they can have a childhood. Find out more at unicef.org.nz