ETHIOPIA: Developing the Abaya Community

I am very excited that I have decided (and accepted God's calling) to go to ETHIOPIA. :) Lakeside Church is partnering with World Vision to work with a developing community in Abaya. This community is in the beginning stages with World Vision and I am excited to go and visit during the early stages of development because I hope to make a long commitment to this community.

Physical and social needs in the Abaya community, located 220 miles south of Addis Adaba, are pervasive. World Vision has assessed many of the needs and we hope to work with them through 2013. Here is a run-down of the key sectors:

Food: Most members of the community depend on agriculture for their livelihood.

Plans: Develop small scale irrigation, build a cattle trough and cattle crush, community crop training

Water: Only 28.5 percent of the people in Abaya have reasonable access to clean and safe water.

Plans: Develop 4 springs (one per year), construct a safe and sanitary toilet facility, construct 2 communal waste disposal pits

Health: The Abaya community has a high incidence of HIV/AIDS.

Plans: Build an office and staff residence, build a health post and counseling/testing center

School: July half the children eligible by age for grades 1-4 and only one third for grades 5-8 are enrolled in school.

Plans: Build 6 schools, build a library

Work: Plans: Offer vocational training in woodworking, pottery, masonry, mud technology and silk work production, develop nurseries, beekeeping, facilitate microcredit opportunities, increase opportunities for women.

Faith: Churches are not fully participating in the development process within the Abaya community, mostly for lack of leadership. Plans: Train Christian leaders for holistic development, so they can enable members of local churches to care for the marginalized, disadvantages, voiceless, and vulnerable members of their community as an expression of God's love.

All these phases, with World Vision, will take until approximately 2023 to finish. But what awesome plans!

Would you partner with me in this venture? I will need prayer and financial support. Would you be interested in sponsoring a child from this community? Let me know! :)

Trip Dates: February 22 - March 3
You may contribute online at :

http://www.lakesidechurch.com

Click "Give Online"
You may need a username and password. It will step you through the process.
Click "Missions"
Click the subfolder "Ethiopia '11 - Pam Jimison"

OR
Email me and I will give you information to mail it in!
jimison4Him@sbcglobal.net