Ethiopia Initiative

We are part of the broader Ethiopia Initiative of MPPC. Our team has two main components: analyzing HIV/AIDS projects for funding, and supporting short-term medical missions trips to Ethiopia (more info below). The AIDS group has been studying in detail about the epidemic in Ethiopia and how the indigenous Protestant church has been responding. Our goal is to work with the local denominations in their many efforts to combat the disease. We are currently supporting the following projects:

Wonji Microenterprise Project

We are partnering with ECFE (Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Ethiopia - 22 denominations) to support the local churches in two towns (Wonji Shoa and Wonji Gefersa) as they care for AIDS patients and their children. In each town, five churches of different denominations have banded together to visit AIDS patients in their homes, bringing food and simple medical care. They also help AIDS orphans by removing barriers to their schooling (fees, uniforms, books) with the gifts of local church members. Our money will provide micro-loans and training so that AIDS victims can start small businesses, supporting themselves and their children.

Remember the Poorest Community, Nazret (part of the Wonji project, but in a different city)

We are partnering with the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of Nazret in caring for children in this crossroads city with a high HIV rate. Our support goes through the "Remember the Poorest Community" (the churches' social agency) to keep AIDS orphans living with relatives or single moms in Nazret so they won't become street kids due to economic hardship on extended families. This group also runs a kindergarten and a street boy rehabilitation program.

Jimma Chicken Raising and HIV Education Project

We are partnering with ECFE (see above) to train two Ethiopian Christian missionaries to reach out to displaced Muslim peoples in Western Ethiopia. The missionaries will serve the community by teaching HIV/AIDS prevention among people who are at increased risk due to the cultural disruption of resettlement. They will also train the people on how to raise chickens for increased income and better nutrition, and will provide chicks and coops to trainees. These activities will open the door for natural evangelism, hopefully leading to the planting of a church in the next year.

Meserete Kristos HIV Education and Micro-loans

Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) is an indigenous, fast-growing Ethiopian denomination that wants to expand its AIDS education to its distant congregations by training trainers who will teach AIDS educators in regional churches. The trainers will also equip local members to do counseling and home care for AIDS patients. MKC is also targeting college campuses for prevention efforts. A pilot micro-loan program to establish small businesses may lead to an expansion later.

HIV/AIDS Team Details

We meet monthly on first Wednesdays. We spend time carefully examining project reports and budgets so that we understand well what we are supporting. This team is good for you if you want to know the details and become personally involved with funding decisions rather than just writing checks. We want to give financial support but also to receive the opportunity to get to know Ethiopian Christians and be enriched by their faith and commitment. Next year there will be trips to visit the projects we support. For more information, contact Katie Finlay, katief@realizeaids.org

Medical Short-Term Missions

This is a sub-group of the Menlo Healthcare GO Team, a ministry devoted to sending trained healthcare professionals around the world. The first medical trip to Ethiopia, in April 2006, organized mobile clinics for AIDS patients in home care programs of local churches. Team members also presented continuing education to Ethiopian medical personnel. For more information about future trips, contact Frank Marsh, fmarsh4@yahoo.com