Geographical Location
Muketuri is at an altitude of 2,622 m (latitude 9° 32′, longitude 38° 52′). It has an average annual rainfall of 1,153 mm and temperatures that range from 7° C in the nights to 27° C during the day. Rainfall is seasonal from July to September, although there are cycles of drought, which cause the resulting famine that is endemic in the entire sub-Saharan region.
Muketuri belongs to North Shoa region populated mainly by the ethnic Oromo people. The capital of this region is Fiche and Muketuri is the center of the woreda (or province) on which depend 24 kebeles (or villages), which has an area of 2,500 sq. km.
The main religion in this area is Orthodox Christianity, followed by Protestantism and a small percentage of Muslims.
Beneficiaries
Direct: In Muketuri there is a direct beneficiary population of 14,231, Mechela Andode 4,147, Gimbichu 5,044, Bosoke Yate 3,441 and Igukura 6,140.
Indirect: 125,815 in the whole Wuchale Woreda
Background
The Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel invited the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle (MCSPA) to be established in the Archdiocese. After visiting different sites of the Archdiocese, Muketuri in Wuchale Woreda was the one showing more favourable conditions to start a Mother and Child Centre as a pilot project which would be the base in to develop different activities in the area with nutrition as an objective.
In March 2007 the local authorities donated a land of 15,700 sq. m. the construction of a maternal and child centre. In 2008 the local authorities of Mechella Andode, 5km far from Muketuri, donated a land for a nutritional unit.
Present Situation and Plan
The MCSPA is working in 5 of the 24 kebeles of Wuchale Woreda, in different areas like nutrition, agriculture and water resources, especially wells each of which serve 5 families, helping them to produce food in the dry season like vegetables and to get more land for producing more food for the centres.
Achievements
The Integral Development Program in Muketuri includes the following activities:
Nutrition and Education
- A Mother and Child Centre at Muketuri was opened in 2008 and provides education and food to 300 children from 4 to 6 years old.
- A Nutritional Unit at Mechela Andode 5km far from Muketuri town was opened in 2009 and provides education and food to 62 children from 2 to 6 years.
- 6 children with special needs receive 2 meals per day and special care.
- 72 twins receive special food to improve their health and weight every month.
Water resources
- Two rock dams built for getting water during the rainy season, which would be used for irrigation during the dry season especially for the livestock of the people.
- 56 manual wells in 6 different kebeles.
- 2 deep wells, 83m and 90m, for irrigation and consumption.
Agriculture and Livestock:
- Around of 1,000 fruit trees (apple, peach, pear, almond and plum).
- Three plots of 1 ha. for producing vegetables for the nurseries.
- Cereal production during the rainy season in an area of about 2 ha.
- 12 cows to produce milk for 370 children.
- 100 chicken for eggs.
Agricultural training for the people, distribution of fruit tree seedlings and vegetable seeds to the people attending the training courses; follow up of the family vegetable gardens and fruit trees in the lands of the beneficiaries.
Since 2009, 540 women and farmers have received training in agriculture, health and nutrition.
Health:
- 20 people receive help to reach to the hospitals in Addis Ababa.
- 370 children receive medical check up every three months.
- Help in some cases of surgical operation to the needy persons.
The objectives of the Mission will be the following:
- Improving access to water for the people and their animals through the digging of wells.
- Improving food security through the training of the local population in farming skills as well as the establishment of permanent farms.
- Continuing support for the nutritional programs at Muketuri and Mechela Andode.
- Continuing the training of teachers and care-takers.
