Ethiopia

The partner of FELM in Ethiopia is the Evangelical Mekane Yesus Church, one of the fastest growing churches in the world.

Joint collaboration in Ethiopia consists of

• Assistance to those who suffer from HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans
• Support to poor children, women and families
• Training for Church workers

FELM staff work in Bible translation, literacy and health care programmes, as well as, a project to assist the deaf.

Ministry and Congregational work

FELM supports the ministry of the expanding Mekane Yesus Church. Church leadership and member training in theological seminaries and Bible colleges and training for female and family support workers are also provided. Family support work is a new activity for the Church.

The financial situation of the Church has been alarming for a long time. Church membership has grown and projects expanded, but Church income has not. FELM provides support for the Church to become sustainable.

Community Support and Capacity Building

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is plagued by drought, famine, civil war and political instability. This has left millions dead and the country struggling with an enormous problem of displaced people and refugees.

In such a poverty stricken country, the role of the Church as a provider of social services is important. Mekane Yesus Church is actively engaged in community development and has been praised by the Government for its efforts.

The project for the deaf includes social work and refresher training for teachers for the deaf. The school for the deaf in Hossaina provides basic education and a two year vocational training programme. This allows the opportunity for deaf children and young people to be educated and provide a livelihood. All the children at the school are sponsored.

The Church funded Aira hospital provides nurses training.

The fight against famine continues from year to year. The recent droughts have increased the numbers of poor and the need for assistance.

The Mekane Yesus Church collaborates with local communities and the authorities in a rural livelihoods project in Butajira. One key component of the programme is the construction of rainwater catchment tanks and improved cultivation techniques.

HIV/AIDS

The incidence of HIV/AIDS is not as high in Ethiopia as it is in Southern Africa. An estimated 3,5% of the adult population is infected. HIV/AIDS awareness is a central component of the Church’s work. In addition to information dissemination and prevention, the aim of awareness activities is to decrease prejudice against those infected and those orphaned by the virus.