During my time in Ethiopia I stayed in a community based on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. This community was devastated by a landslide at the city dump. Approximately 200 people lost their lives and many lost their homes and all their belongings. When our team arrived in the area the morning after it happened we did not understand the extent of the accident. It was only when we started to hear the stories and saw the continuous flow of ambulances going down to the dump every day for the rest of that week we started to understand how bad it really was. For a week, we were not allowed to enter into the area but as a team we got to attend the candle light memorial service where the community came together to pay their respects for the lives lost in this tragedy. A few days later I went down to the tents with another team mate to drop off some water and some clothes. The tents where filled with people holding photographs of their family members, these people had nothing left. Everything was gone. The backpack I’m carrying for 11 months has more in it than any of these people have left. Seeing the sadness there was something I will never forget. The two young boys that came up to me and shock my hand thanking me for the very little I gave and the joy they had on their faces. I don’t know their story but even through this tragedy they still had a look of hope on their faces. And for me that is something I have witnessed throughout this month, people have a hope even when it seems like a hopeless situation.
Whilst working with an amazing community development organisation called Community Transformation Ethiopia I got to experience being part of a wonderful community. I got to do many house visits and every time was welcomed into the home and the family openly shared their stories. Every family had a story and every one was heart breaking and unfair. But one thing they had in common was a deep hope that amazed me every time. Many didn’t know how they would feed their families but they knew they would be ok, some bedridden by illness, houses no bigger than my bedroom with a roof that leaked every time it rained but that was home. I am thankful to have gotten to spend time with these families listening to their stories and praying with them.
This organisation supports many in this community. They have a child sponsorship programme which brought me to this amazing family.
I made the decision to sponsor Lulekal, he’s 6 and wants to be a scientist. He has an older brother and sister and his beautiful mother. I had the pleasure of spending some time with the family and getting to know their story. They welcomed me into their home, served me tea and made me a snack. Their generosity is amazing, they want to give when they have so little. I can’t wait to build on this relationship with this beautiful family. The sponsorship programme supports the child for schooling, supplies, clothing and food for the family. Not only that but the parent then gets to join a self-help group which is a group of parents that have a child in the sponsorship programme. Through this group, they pay in and can take out a loan to start a small business. The parent then has an income that will support the family. It is worth visiting their website. http://www.hopeinview.org/
I have loved every moment in Ethiopia. The people are beautiful, the coffee is the best coffee I’ve had in my life, I think I’ve eaten my weight in donuts and most of all I’ve been part of a wonderful community. I’ve learned that you can find hope in a place that you least expect.
Ethiopia I will never forget you…
I am looking for people to join me by signing up as a monthly donor. I am still a bit away from being fully funded and would love if you could partner with me.
Thank you for your support 🙂 I’m in Malaysia now and can’t wait to update you on whats happening!
Mhairi x
