Church at Brook Hills, we are pleased to bring you this update from Holeta Mulu Wongel Child Development Center and Enchini Mulu Wongel Student Center, which are both located in Ethiopia. These churches are collectively providing holistic care to 27 moms and babies. Mothers in the program receive spiritual care, gain microenterprise skills and learn about early childhood development. One caregiver in the Survival program at Holeta Mulu Wongel Child Development Center expressed that, “I was filled with great joy when I found the Survival program because I was suffering a lot. My hope was renewed.” In the photo above, a caregiver from the Enchini Mulu Wongel Student Center creates an intricately woven basket that she can sell in the market or use for food preparation. In this report, you will find Survival statistics in Ethiopia, photos of recent activities at both centers, and a letter of gratitude from a caregiver.
Survival Statistics in Ethiopia (January – June 2019)
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- 2,286 mothers and their babies received Survival services
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- 386 Compassion-assisted births
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- 94% of births recorded were at a normal weight
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- 80 churches implemented Survival services
Recent Survival Activities at Holeta Mulu Wongel Child Development Center
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- Mothers attend a seminar led by a professional health specialist. They learn about preventive care to avoid illness.
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- Caregivers receive food supplements from the Survival program on a monthly basis.
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- Mothers attend another session led by a health specialist. They enjoy popcorn together while they listen.
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- A Survival specialist facilitates conversation between caregivers. They discuss challenges they face, and learn from each other’s experiences.
A Letter from a Caregiver at Holeta Mulu Wongel Child Development Center
My dear sponsors!
Firstly, I want to offer you my respectful greetings. My name is Sara and my child’s name is Bonsa. I want to share with you that I am living in the town of Holleta which is located near Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa. I have lived here for 14 years. I am a mother of six children. One has died, while 4 of my other children are living with relatives as I couldn’t raise them on my own. Right now I am living in a single room in a rented house with my baby boy.
I was six months pregnant when I was embraced by the Survival program. The center supported me at a time where I did not have enough food and I couldn’t pay my house rent. I was filled with great joy when I found the Survival program because I was suffering a lot. My hope was renewed. The Survival staff bought and gave me flour, cooking oil, a bed and a blanket. They picked me up from the floor to let me lay on a bed. I got sufficient medical care. When the time came to deliver my baby, I was referred to a hospital and I was able to give birth through a caesarean section. Otherwise, I couldn’t have held my baby as I am today and it would have been a risk for my life. But now, I have received a lot of support, and I am thanking God and living a better life than before.
I want to thank my Compassion supporters for the support you have given me. May God bless you abundantly.
Sara
Recent Survival Activities at Enchini Mulu Wongel Student Center
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- Mothers receive food to provide nourishment to themselves and their babies. Unfortunately, many caregivers are unable to afford proper food to feed their families. They receive food from the center with great joy.
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- A Survival specialist visits a mother in her home to provide support and individualized care.
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- Mothers prepare flour from a variety of grains using baskets that they’ve skillfully crafted.