Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle in Muketuri, Ethiopia

At the beginning of 2020, the social reality in Ethiopia was already complicated by the imminent general elections. After almost three decades with the same party in power, Ethiopia is facing an urgent “aggiornamento”.

This responds to the concerns of a society affected by poverty, different ethnic and cultural realities, and a large number of young people who know the world through social media and want a fair job that allows them to live with dignity.

As if preparing democratic elections in a country like Ethiopia, with more than 50 million voters (with a population of 105 million inhabitants) was not enough, in March, as in the rest of the world, we were invaded by the covid-19 pandemic. Ethiopia was one of the fastest countries to react, with measures such as closing schools, universities, offices, regulating transportation.

However, the worst challenge for the ordinary citizens was to face the economic consequences. Around 80% of the jobs in Ethiopia are not regulated by an employment contract: if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Many get what they need simply to eat daily. The loss of employment that has occurred in all countries is of immense relevance in Ethiopia, where it is impossible to do a confinement, because this would mean facing starvation.

Since March, members of MCSPA wanted to be close to the people, facing the greatest need: a dignified nutrition. The families of the poorest children in the Mother and Child Center and the program for children with malnutrition have been provided with food weekly, such as grain, vegetables, eggs, milk and soap.

The farmers, who see food prices rise daily, have been supported with improved potato seeds for planting and obtaining better harvests.

In addition to this, we have been praying together every week, especially for all those affected by the pandemic in Ethiopia and in the world, especially in the countries where volunteers and visitors who come every year to Muketuri and who are already part of the mission.

Humble people have shown us, once again, their generosity, praying again and again in a very special way for our families and friends; in all their prayers they have incorporated the “foreigners who help us and love us”, as a universal prayer. A good sign of the mission ad gentes – we are united by mutual love, prayer and vulnerability in the face of catastrophes.

We thank God for the possibility of sharing our lives with the Ethiopians, and for having so many supporters, friends, and volunteers who are part of this adventure of announcing the Good News in Ethiopia.

Lourdes Larruy, MCSPA