Ethiopia
Overview
The Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM) work started in Ethiopia. In 2002, two volunteers travelled from Ireland to volunteer in the small school of Atse, run by the Daughters of Charity in Addis Ababa. Since then, hundreds of volunteers have travelled to projects in Bahir Dar, Woylita, Addis Ababa, Ambo, Atse, Mekele, Jimma, Bruh Tesfa, Alitena, Bonga, Bulbula, Nekempte, and Alemachen to Vincentian Fathers and Daughters of Charity projects in the areas of education, health, administration and community development.
The Ambo Lazarist Deaf School (ALDS) was established by the Vincentian Fathers and VLM in 2012 with financial support from the Castleknock College community and Misean Cara. Since then, the Ethiopia Deaf Project (EDP) committee of VLM has fundraised tirelessly to support the running costs of the Deaf School every year. Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa area of East Africa. It has a population of 132 million people.
Some facts about Ethiopia
- Founded in 980 B.C., Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations in the world.
- Ethiopia’s national language is Amharic, but there are over 82 languages and 200 dialects, or variations, spoken in the country.
- Ethiopians have one of the lowest life expectancies in the world. Current figures estimate that women can expect to live for about 50 years, and men for about 48 years.
- The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, and it is 7 or 8 years behind the Western calendar.
- In Ethiopia, time is counted differently. Six o’clock is said to be 12 o’clock, and 16:00 hours is 10 o’clock. Ethiopians rationalise that the clock should start when the day does.
Projects
Alemachen
Project: Alemachen Rehabilitation Centre
Alemachen is located in the heart of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
Alemachen is a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities.The rehabilitation centre was opened by the Vincentian Fathers in 1972. Since then, they have cared for nearly 4000 children.
They provide free treatment and full-board for children undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Around 200 children use the facility every year.
This placement would suit teachers and physiotherapists.
Wolaita
Projects: Mariam Women’s Vocational Training
Wolaita is located in the Southern Region of Ethiopia, 350km southwest of Addis Ababa.
The Daughters of Charity arrived in Wolaita in 1985. Initially the congregation opened an emergency feeding programme during the famine of 1985, but their focus soon moved to sustainable community development.
Mariam Women’s Vocational Training Project provides training in IT, Hotel management, embroidery, hairdressing, business management. There is also the Bruh Tesfa Montessori Kindergarten Teacher Training Institute.
This project is particularly suitable for teachers and anyone interested in teaching computer skills, sewing or cooking.
Addis Ababa
Project: De Paul & Daughters of Charity Schools
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia.
There are two schools in the Gulele district of Addis Ababa, one run by the Daughters of Charity and one by the Vincentian Fathers. It is also the administrative centre for all project and financial reporting.
This placement is suitable for teaching volunteers or those with a Finance background.
Jimma
Project: Daughters of Charity School
Jimma is the largest city in southwestern Oromia Region in Ethiopia and 262km from the capital.
The Daughters of Charity run a school here. In Bonga the Vincentian Fathers have a hostel for girls attending school in the city.
This placement is suitable for teaching volunteers.
Ambo
Projects: De Paul School
Ambo is a town in West Central Ethiopia, about 2 hours from Addis Ababa.
The Vincentian Fathers run a school for deaf children, a kindergarten and a primary school here.
This placement is suitable for teaching volunteers.
Volunteer Stories
Impact
Read about our impact in Ethiopia with the help of volunteers and donors.
Want to get involved? Visit ‘Volunteering with VLM‘.
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