Ethiopia, the country on the Horn of Africa.
The country lies completely within the tropical latitudes and is relatively compact, with similar north-south and east-west dimensions. The capital is Addis Ababa (“New Flower”), located almost at the center of the country. Ethiopia is the largest and most populated country in the Horn of Africa.
We, Salesian Sisters, are serving at present in five locations with six communities: Addis Ababa (2), Adwa, Dilla, Zway, and Gubrie. We present you these five places where our adventure takes place every day.
Gubrie / Gurage
Gurage is a Zone in the Ethiopian Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR). The Gurage are known all over Ethiopia for their prowess in trade. Butajira is the largest city in this zone and the former administrative center. The village of Gubrye is situated in the area of Gurage, in southwestern Ethiopia, about 175 km from the capital Addis Abeba. This area is inhabited by Site, Sabat Beyt, and Soddo, the three big tribal and clan confederations which form the Gurage ethnic group. The villages are scattered and far from one another. Their inhabitants live in straw huts, working the land for their sustenance. Gurage people are so friendly and kind.
Salesian Sisters offer a variety of programs to all people who come into the mission because the place around the mission is a vast place with many poor people. Therefore, Salesian Sisters are trying to reach out for supports to people in need. Here are some of the activities that people take part in the mission.
Daily Oratory & After School Program
Salesian Sisters open daily oratory for all the young people. Oratory is a place where young people can be accompanied by the Salesian educational assistance. They can relax after school, spend time with friends, play board games and open games, and complete homework in the library. Salesian Sisters also offer some programs such as computer programs and music training, soccer leagues, open games. By offering a wide variety of programming will keep the young people engaged, involved & excited throughout the year.
Following St. John Bosco’s Preventive System, which is based on reason, religion, and loving-kindness, Salesian Sisters accompany young people and support them as they develop their gifts, achieve personal excellence and prepare for the future with hope and confidence.
Women Promotion
“Learning to learn for life and work,” Women Promotion is helping people to work; promoting lifelong learning, and supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Through Empowering Women, the women and young girls can be provided greater opportunities for jobs, and they can support their children’s education and provide their households with superior nutrition, stronger food security, and increased access to health care.
Sewing Short Course
This short course is one of the activities of Women Promotion in Gubrie. Through this course, the students have gained the skills to start working and support their lives. Twenty-six students have finished the Sewing Short Course for six months which started on the 17th of December 2020. For six months they learned Sewing Skills, patterns, hand stitching, cutting simple fabrics, hand embroidery, and taking body measurements.
Agriculture
Salesian Sisters offer an opportunity for Agriculture Program to women. Agricultural Training is to prevent hunger and improve the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in that area. It can increase food availability and incomes, also improve basic services such as health and education.
Salesian Sisters have been providing the poor women a piece of land and education about effective cultivation so that they can cultivate some vegetables for their families.
Restaurant and Meal Service for the Poor
Salesian Sisters have started managing the Salesian restaurant in which people can have a good meal. With the income of the restaurant, Salesian Sisters are helping the poor families and the poor people who are not able to have meals. They have been reaching out to very poor families and malnourished children through our Meal Service Program. Many people have benefited from it. This Service is open daily with one Salesian Sister who takes care of all those seeking help, especially the poor and venerable people.
