Ethiopia project

 

Upcoming Missions Trip

We are excited to announce an upcoming missions trip to Addis Ababa from July 18 to August 4!

We’re looking to take a small team with us to engage in meaningful work and outreach. If you’re interested in joining us on this incredible journey, please reach out for more details. We would love to have you with us!

 

BACKGROUND

The Ethiopia Project supports the RAEY school and community at Yerer, a district of the Bole sub-city of Addis Ababa (Raey is the local Amharic language word for ‘Vision’). The school was initially founded by a husband and wife team of school teachers Mengesha and Freiwhot Gugsa, who through their church group, raised enough money to rent a shed and employ a couple of teachers to provide schooling to the children of very poor families who, in one way or another, were victims of HIV/AIDS.

This small community school started with 38 children who were in poor health, with infections and malnutrition. It immediately became apparent that medical aid would be a critical need of the fledgling school. The provision of nutrient-dense meals, school health checks and assistance in accessing medical and dental care has been a big part of the care provided by the RAEY school. The RAEY school was registered as a charity in 2007, operating under the auspices of the Ethiopian Government.

The Bole sub-city has extensive slums where early childhood education is virtually non-existent and children are at risk of starvation, abandonment or forced child labour due to extreme poverty. 7000 children are on the wait list for a place at Raey school.

The vision of RAEY OF HOPE was born from a desire to support these children and their families. Every child selected at RAEY undergoes an intensive selection process that is governed at council level and verified by the Ministry of Womens Affairs.

 

KEY PROJECTS

The Ethiopia Project provides the following assistance to RAEY school:

  • Summer school volunteers to teach children during the long vacation with a special focus on English conversation, art and craft, Bible literacy, and general knowledge.

  • Sponsorship of children that covers tuition, uniforms, books and stationery, two meals daily and regular health and dental checks.

  • Food relief and supplementation for two daily meals over the summer school program (Monday to Friday).

  • Fundraising through events in Australia with supporters’ balls, golf days, race days, movies, garage sales and small community events.

 

PRAYER POINTS

  • The children attending Raey school will have good health and a strong sense of belonging to encourage their learning.

  • The school facilities would be kept secure, and the guards would be diligent in preventing break-ins or theft of school property.

  • The school bus would continue to be reliable and well-maintained so that staff and students can have reliable transport when needed.

  • Mengesha and Frehwot would have wisdom in leading the school and navigating the politics of the Ethiopian education ministry and its accreditation requirements

  • Financial provision for the completion of the Grade 5 and 6 classrooms and fit-out of the science laboratory and computer laboratory.

  • A strong relationship would grow with local dentists and health centres that care for the needs of the children.

  • Volunteers would continue to serve each summer to assist the local teachers who give up their vacation time to ensure that a program is in place.

  • Opportunities to grow the leather-craft business so that guardians of children attending the school can be offered employment and an income stream.