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Many social and economic problems have arisen in Ethiopia as a
result of rapid urbanization and the migration of rural people to
the cities.
The integrated urban development department is responsible for
promoting a holistic concern for the poor and needy, in Addis Ababa
and other urban centers. A key area to be developed is the
motivation and mobilization of church members to reach out to their
neighbors with the compassion and good news of Jesus Christ.
The Urban Ministries department has a range of projects aimed at
bringing about long-lasting development for the urban poor and the
disadvantaged. The major sponsors of this work are Tearfund
and Kinder Nothilfe.e.v |
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Department
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Ato Mesfin Shuge |
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Street Children
Loss of
their parents to HIV/AIDS and other factors has left
many children destitute on the street. There,
they have no access to sanitation or water for
washing, and are therefore themselves at risk of
disease.
So far,
the KHC has constructed 10 blocks, each containing
showers, toilets and wash-basins |
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Sanitation
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The KHC
has constructed more than 34 public community pit latrines,
benefiting more than 6,000 individuals, and reducing the
risk of serious diseases such as typhoid.
The
community participates in these projects, identifying the
sites to be used, and contributing 10% of the cost of
construction. This ensures that they are built in
places where the community really wants to make good use of
them.
Education about sanitation and hygiene is also provided |
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Community Empowerment Program
Within the
community empowerment program, the KHC is trying to empower
destitute women, equipping them with knowledge and building them
up socially, economically, spiritually, and in their self-esteem
and confidence. The goal is that they should be able to
make their own decisions about their own lives.
As part of
this, savings and credit schemes have been set up by the
community itself. So far, 34 self help groups, covering
more than 660 households, have been established. They have
enabled people to save money and have now begun internal
lending. |
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Saving and Credit Co-operatives
Credit co-operatives have been established in 5
local churches with the objective of giving poor
people access to external funds that they would
not otherwise be able to get from banks or other
institutions. Training is given on
money management and the concepts of savings and
credit.
439 women have benefited, many of whom have been
given the opportunity to change their own lives
and have moved into petty trading.
These co-operatives are moving towards a Self
Help Group approach |
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Kindergarten
A
Kindergarten has been set up to help poor families who
would not otherwise be able to afford schooling for
their children. The premises were renovated and a
teacher trained.
So
far, 265 children have attended the Kindergarten, 20% of
them completely free of charge. |
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Child Sponsorship
In
partnership with Compassion International, the KHC is
involved in 33 projects, supporting about 10,000
children. The children receive
-Education
-Physical and Social development assistance
-Health care -Clothing
-Food
-Vocational Training
Support is also provided to their guardians. |
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Church Mobilization
The
KHC sees local churches as the champions of community
transformation. The Urban Ministry
department is trying to awaken the church to the needs
of the community around it, so that the church
identifies with the community and is involved in
economic, social and other community issues. This
is being done by sensitizing church leaders to this
issue, providing co-ordination, running workshops, and
producing Bible Study materials on transformation.
The program has been piloted in 8 local churches. |
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Contact the Urban
Ministries Department:
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