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Two
distinguished guests from our major supporting agencies of the Church,
Mrs. Margret Stasius, Project Administration and Monitoring Officer at
the Lutheran World Federation Department of Mission and Development (LWF/DMD)
in Geneva and Dr. Gunther Augustini, Department Head of Africa Desk I at
the German Evangelical Development Service (EED), were on visit to
different development activities of EECMY-DASSC from 2-9 Feb., 2007;
accompanied by Mr. Deed Jaldessa, Director of the Ethiopian Evangelical
Church Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC),
Dr. Abeya Wakweya, Capacity Building Coordinator of EECMY DASSC and Mr.
Helmut Spon, freelance consultant monitoring Yanda Faro Food Security
Scheme in Konso.
The
first visit was a project against “Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)” in
Hosanna, South Central Synod, where they are briefed about the success
of the FGM campaign among the target groups and where they made a lively
group discussion with the women leading the project as well as other
local dignitaries present.
Next
visited project was the Yanda Faro Food Security Irrigation Scheme,
jointly financed by the EED and Bread for the World in Germany. The
irrigation scheme was inaugurated in April 2006 to ensure the food
security of the people in Konso Special Wereda in the southern region,
who for many decades in the past very much depended on foreign aid for
their livelihoods. After the implementation of the project, they are now
becoming self sufficient. Currently they supply up to 96 % of the
surrounding markets with their products, as a result of the successful
irrigation scheme. The diverting includes three main rivers enabling
abundant harvest of maize.
Traditionally, the people of Konso have known only sorghum, getting poor
yields out of it, in spite of persistent tilling and hard work. |
The
third and last visit was another against FGM project in Wabe Batu Synod
(WBS) in Bale region, Robe Wereda, which is covering two sub
administrative areas (Kebeles) and run by seven active members of the
WBS. The visitors were briefed that the project and its campaign is deep
rooted and successful in the society. The religious leaders, elders,
judges and administrators are all jointly agreed upon heavy penalty to
end the traditionally wide spread practice of FGM in the area. It could
be a milestone marking the beginning of a good example to be followed
country wide.
Thus, our distinguished guests were well informed about the fruits of
their long time engagement for the Church in particular and for the
country as a whole.
It
is worth mentioning here that both guests are going to be pensioned in
the mid of 2007, after a long and grateful service for their respective
institutions as well as for EECMY. Taking this opportunity, the
leadership of the EECMY arranged a fare well evening, on which they
exchanged words of thanks and gifts of remembrance. A week before, EED
development workers organized a similar occasion, for both guests.
Margaret and Gunther were pleasantly moved and touched in all occasions.
The EECMY heartily wish them a long and prosperous life. |
