TOWARDS THE PATH OF COLLABORATION VINCENTIAN FAMILY ETHIOPIA

‘‘TOWARDS THE PATH OF COLLABORATION’’ VINCENTIAN FAMILY ETHIOPIA DA ITY OF CHAR E SISTERS NTID ANNE A OF ST. JE E 1799 FRANC 2003 ETHIOPIA S ME ISTERS RCY OF VIN OF SA CEN INT PAU T DE’ ETH IOP L IA 1 997 UG CH HTE F ET RAN ARI RS O HI CE TY F OP 1 IA 633 19 27 BROTHERS OF CHARITY BELGIUM 1807 ETHIOPIA 2010 CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION FRANCE 1625 ETHIOPIA 1839 DE’ ENT VINC IETY T SAIN L SOC 3 PAU CE 183 FRAN PIA 2013 O ETHI Y ARIT F CH 17 IES O 16 LAD ANCE 015 2 FR PIA HIO ET

Every time we celebrate the feast or the anniversary of someone we are used to remember the past, the story… the events etc…. in the same way when it is the feasts of the Holy Spirit it is nice to remember at least some of its gifts…. And our association of VFCAPEC is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

The VFCAPEC started on the 30 th. August 2014 and soon focused in the organization of a Workshop that could help to launch, encourage, and define the Family. The starting team was formed by the representatives of different branches: LADIES OF CHARITY CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST JEANNE ANTIDE SISTERS OF MERCY OF ST. VINCENT DE’ PAUL BROTHERS OF CHARITY

On the 28 th February, officially started the International Charity Association who entered to be part of the Commission. Expression of the team work developed and of the wish of starting an efficient collaboration with the international Vincentian Family, a workshop was organized in the Daughters of Charity Provincial House from the 18 th to the 21 st March 2015 with the professional and dynamic animation of Fr. Joe Agostino, Fr. Manny Ginete, Mrs. Dee Mansi, Mrs. Yasmine Cajuste, Miss Denise el Khoury.

Let us see now the follow up of the workshop…. . May the Holy Spirit enkindle in us the flame of Charity that inflamed St Vincent de Paul.

IT ALL STARTS IN THE SILENCE OF OUR CHAPELS. . . With OUR LAZARIST CHAPLAIN

In the course of the day, while you work or pray, sometimes think: “Oh, how happy I am! Jesus, my dear Jesus, is coming to me. Oh, dearest Lord, prepare me for Yourself.

In every service the spirit of St Jeanne Antide guides us “to love Christ Jesus, to love and serve the poor who are his members, to show them the love of the Father…” The Kindergarten St Jeanne Antide welcomes 250 children every year: of them almost the 30% are served freely because they belong to very poor families in the zone. To every child the school is offering formation according to the Governmental programs, but also a wide formation open to different cultures, languages and educations. “To teach the poor, to know, love, serve God is to do in part what the Savior of the world came to do on earth? ”

The children are singing to St. Jeanne Antide and…. show her example

The St. Agostina Health Center Receives every day an average of 140 -150 persons many of them very poor and in need of medical care and often in need of comfort and sometimes of economic support. There is also a program for the malnourished Children (almost 250300): they are able to receive weekly food and alimentation.

“The sisters shall serve the poor with respect, seeing in them the person of Jesus Christ… with Charity and patience, putting up with their infirmities, even the most repulsive, and with their taunts, criticisms and insults. ”

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MEDICATION AND NUTRITION

Blessed Nemesia Women Promotion Center, For almost two years the sisters are running a women promotion Center that offers courses of Information Technology and food Preparation for young women and girls.

“The sisters do not merely give material help to the women; their spiritual needs are of greatest concern to them. ”

LETS MAKE A CAKE. . . MIX IT WELL

In this program this year 2014 -2015 the sisters welcomed 9 girls from the farthest villages in order to help them attend regularly the school, to teach them basic elements of health education, hygiene and most of all to help them deepen their faith and to discover themselves like the best gift of God to themselves and to others. The objective is to develop their skills and to guide them to be aware of their dignity, their capacity, their values.

THE GIRLS IN A MOMENT OF RELAXATION

The young playing with the “paracadute”

Who was the winner? uhj

Family Service Association (FSA) FSA was established in the year 2000 by a group of volunteer Ethiopian professionals with rich experience in gender, human right, RH/FP and HIV/AIDS as well as other multi- sectoral development. It had its legal entity by registering with the Ministry of Justice in 2006. It was re-registered as ‘Ethiopian Resident Charity’ following the new Charities and Societies Law in 2010 and renewed its licence in 2013.

FSA is established to alleviating the socio-economic problems of women, the youth, children and other disadvantaged segments of the society and in response to the increasing incidents of violence against women (VAW) and children. The organization is providing support mainly to destitute and marginalized women and children through socio-economic support, various skill training, psychosocial support, school capacity building and feeding programs and community development projects.

FSA implements several projects related to youth, women and children empowerment programs in Ethiopia. FSA is also experienced in supporting victims of gender based violence through provision of shelter service and rehabilitating Activities. Through its economic empowerment programs in the capital city Addis Ababa; FSA was able to bring about a significant change in the lives of youth and women and their families.

SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM Birhan Guzo Kindergarten School

The program brings life to the many children that school there and more importantly it give them that assurance that though life is challenging and some find neglect from their own parents and family members: all is not lost for there are people who deeply care for them.

Temporary Shelter service Through the facilitation of the Woreda’s Women, Children and Youth Affairs office, FSA admit vulnerable individuals to our shelter. We help them fulfill their basic needs and psychological support. The integrated shelter services helps them to come out of the misery they had experienced and give them the opportunity to lead a better life.

Economic Empowerment program We have door to door volunteers who follow up on individuals in disadvantaged situations. After various assessment they select some as trainees and provide startup capitals for them. One beneficiary of the financial support bought an oven and flour and started baking bread in her home. She then used to carry her products and search for people who can buy from her. . . like small juice houses, women who sell tea and coffee and also shops that sell bread products. ‘‘WEYNWA BREAD PRODUCTION’’

UNLOCKING THE SHACKLES OF STIGMA IN MENTAL HEALTH REHARBILITATION

I BET HER SMILE WINS THE DAY.

SOCIAL THERAPIST AT GEFERSA MENTAL HEALTH REHARBILITATION CENTRE WITH SOME OF THE PATIENTS.

CELEBRATING OUR ACHIVEMENTS ONE STEP AT A TIME

ITS ALL JOY WHEN ONE OF OUR MASTERS BECOMES A MEMBER OF OUR STAFF

Vincentian Family Collaborative Action Program Ethiopia HOW CAN WE FORGET THE COFFEE CEREMONY? ? ?