UK Supporters Day – a brief report

About 50 friends of IHA-UDP found their way to the new venue at Holy Apostles Church Hall in Charlton Kings for the annual UK Christian Supporters’ Day. Glenfall Church hosted the event on 10th October 2009.

Supporters pay attention to a presentation

On arrival, name badges were provided and people chatted whilst browsing tables of CBISDO craft goods. Jember and several members of her family had arrived late on Friday night and stayed with Revd Dr Nigel and Liz Scotland. David and two of Jember’s nieces attended the supporters meeting; one from the USA who now lives in the UK.

10.40am Welcome and opening prayer
Keith Holland has kindly taken over organising the meeting from Arthur Champion (since 1995) and Keith welcomed everyone then opened with a brief prayer. By now we were running late but he joked that our agenda was based on Ethiopian time!

10.45am VIDEO: “Remember the Poor”
Jember was keen to show the video (2006), which gives a great overview of all the main projects. It certainly helped to set the scene for the rest of the day. The DVD is a high quality production and is available at £10 including P&P directly from Jeremy Thornton (0114 258 3887) at www.jftvideoproductions.co.uk. Bulk orders may qualify for a discount!

11.00am Jember Terferra – Current situation in Addis Ababa and an update on IHA-UDP
Single storey houses have been built for the past 20 years but the City administration’s new policy requires multiple levels many NGOs have decided to withdraw from house building. However, IHA-UDP has achieved the distinction of being the only NGO in Addis Ababa to have successfully built new homes with multiple levels! One of the highlights of this past year was the completion of IHA-UDP’s first condominium of 40 apartments, which are soon to be occupied by very poor families. However, these apartments are perceived as less than ideal for low-income families. Critics have mischievously called this a “slum in the sky” which has hindered receiving donations from Habitat for Humanity and others who have in the past given funds for house building. Jember showed slides of the official opening ceremony on 8th August. The task ahead is daunting since 500 new houses are needed in this one area alone! Jember described the battle she was having over the new legislation, which means that if more than 10% of funding comes from overseas then the NGO cannot get involved with Human Rights issues. However, from a Christian perspective poverty is justice issue. If Jember looses, this will have serious consequences for 2,000 school children, 500 old people and 150 children as well as adults with disabilities. So far about the legislation has not begun but when to time comes IHA-UDP is committed to keep to the original vision, mission and objectives (please pray for a softening of Govt hearts). The Eritrean Govt kicked out all the NGOs a couple of years ago. Ethiopia’s income from NGOs exceeds income from coffee exports so the new legislation could have adverse impact in many ways. (Similar laws are coming into other African countries and they all seem to be based on something called the “Paris Declaration”). At least the Institute for Urban Workers will not be affected as this comes under the Ministry of Education.

11.35am Coffee break

12.00 noon Steve Cahill – “The Spirit of the Poor” (new book)
This book presents Steve’s best pictures taken in Addis Ababa on several visits over the past 20 years with words and design by Ben Booth. Copies are available via the IHA-UDP website: http://www.ihaudp.org/

12.05pm Jane Hunt (PJ) – A personal reflection
Jane is one of Jember’s school friends from Clarendon (the name lives on at Monkton Coombe). She has made several trips to Addis Ababa including 1969 and 1983. She spoke movingly about her visit at Epiphany 2009 to the world famous rock churches at Lallibela. Jane has learnt much from the Coptic Church. Her love for children with disabilities was very evident eg. taking out gifts of puppets and masks.

12.35pm Prayer
Keith organised us into three groups and Jember offered some pointers for prayer.

1.10pm Lunch
During our informal discussions Mike Bennett kindly offered to coordinate a London-based supporters group. In the same way Paul Buxton is interested in starting up a similar group for the South Coast. If anyone in these areas has any objections to their e-mail address to Mike and/or Paul please let Arthur Champion know by 22nd November.

2.15pm Ben Booth – News about the website
The look and feel of the website has been enhanced: http://www.ihaudp.org/
Further details are available from: b_r_booth@hotmail.com

2.30pm Chris Hughes – Financial report
This year some £41,000 has been sent out to IHA-UDP via Glenfall Church which includes £4,500 for a medical autoclave.

2.45pm Paul Wilson – an update on the child sponsorship scheme
2009 is the 20th anniversary of starting child sponsorship. Highlights with Life Church (Paul Wilson) over the past 10 years include:
2004 – 100th child sponsored
2006 – AHISDO scheme started by Debbie Lucas
2008 – first sponsored child graduated from university!
There is currently a need for sponsors for AIDS orphans. Further details are available from: paul.wilson27@virgin.net

3.00pm Workneh Heilegiorgis – The family
Jember is currently writing three books! Tow of her nieces attended the meeting; one from the USA who now lives in the UK. The family are clustered in London whilst Lelo is living in Manchester. By coincidence Memanasha was due to visit the UK in the next few days. Workneh also reported that his wife’s health had greatly improved.

3.20pm Tea break

3.45pm Simon Paylor – CRED Foundation
Once again Simon was leading a group of young people to Addis Ababa. Further details are available from: http://www.cred.org.uk/

4.00pm Closing prayer

IHA has NGO status confirmed

After a long period of uncertainty, IHA-UDP is delighted to announce that it has been recognised under Ethiopia’s new legislation governing Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), a group which includes charities and projects such as IHA-UDP.

Dr Jember Teferra, the IHA-UDP’s Founder, Project Coordinator and Fundraiser writes:

“I am pleased to inform you that the Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development Project (IHA-UDP) has been re-registered by the newly established Charities and Societies Agency as an “Ethiopian Residents Charity” in accordance with the Charities and Societies Proclamation No. 621/2009.  A copy of the Certificate of Registration and License, which is numbered 0304, is attached herewith for your information.  It will be valid until October 30, 2012.”

Further details are available on request from the Project office.  Contact iha-udp@ethionet.et.

Ethiopia appeals for food aid

The Ethiopian government is appealing to the international community for emergency food aid.  The desperate situation has been caused by the prolonged drought in East Africa.

The BBC has reported in detail on the situation, and you can read full details via the BBC website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8319741.stm

Meanwhile, residents of Addis Ababa – including the communities in which the Project works – continue to be affected in the form of spiralling food prices.  This particularly affects the many people who are provided with work by the Project for modest wages.  Many are at risk of not being able to afford to feed their families.

IHA-UDP has responded on several occasions in the past 18 months by offering one-off consignments of food supplies to families who are particularly affected.

Please consider supporting the Project by donating to this appeal.  You can do so here:

http://www.ihaudp.org/supporters/foodappeal.htm

New book celebrates Project achievements

The new book - 'The Spirit of the Poor'

A fantastic new book has been launched to celebrate the work of IHA-UDP.

Published to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the start of the Project, the book is based around a superb set of Steve Cahill’s photographs.  Many people are familiar with Steve’s black-and-white portraits of community members from the Project, and some of the very best have been included.  But the book also includes a large number of new colour pictures which were taken specially. Together, the pictures provide a glimpse of life in the slums, and also give a sense of the hope which has been brought by the Project – the true Spirit of the Poor.

Steve’s fantastic pictures speak for themselves – but some of the people featured also tell their own stories.  And Steve was even able to track down a few of the faces whose pictures had been taken in years past – and find out how their lives have changed.

This book will make a beautiful addition to the coffee table of anyone who has supported the Project and taken an interest in its work.  And for those who are curious to find out why this project is so special, there could be no better introduction.

The Spirit of the Poor is available in both hardback and paperback and can be ordered online at the Blurb Bookshop, where you can also see a preview of the book.

If you prefer to order a copy by post, send an email to info@papergiraffe.co.uk to ask for details.

Project completes new homes

A great sense of excitement and accomplishment has accompanied the completion of IHA-UDP’s first condominium building. The new block has been built to house some of the most needy families in the the poor community amongst which the Project is currently working. In line with the city’s new housing policy, the building rises up several stories high – previous homes built by the Project have always been single-story. In fact, IHA-UDP is the only NGO in Addis Ababa which has undertaken to build a new style condominium block – others involved in housing have temporarily withdrawn.

The opening ceremony was held on Saturday, 8^th August 2009. The Chief Executive of Kirkos Sub-City (the local district) was the guest of honour. Other guests included government and kebele [local area] representatives, Project staff, and representatives of international donors. The new occupants of the condominiums were also present, along with representatives from the ‘Neighbourhood Group’, and staff from CBISDO and AHISDO – the community-based organisations which now operate in the areas where IHA-UDP has worked in the past. In all, about 150 guests were present.

The building itself includes four stories above the ground floor, and is divided into 40 units – 20 one-bedroom apartments, and 20 studio flats. Construction took 21 months. Although each flat includes a private toilet and kitchen, communal facilities have also been built within the building’s compound. This is because many families will prefer to use traditional cooking methods over an open fire, and will also want space to slaughter sheep and chickens. The cost of water to poor families, and potential problems with water pressure in the city, mean that communal latrines and washing stands have also been included. In all, there are 8 communal latrines, 10 communal kitchens, 2 dry showers, 6 clothes-washing areas, a slaughterhouse and a communal water point.

A variety of factors – including inflation – caused the work to take longer than expected, and also to cost more. The final cost came to Birr 5,539,295.74, and was covered by donors from a variety of countries. (A breakdown of costs is available here, and a list of donors here.)

On behalf of the beneficiaries, the community at large and the Project staff, IHA-UDP would like to extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all its supporters, and especially to those who directly contributed for changing the lives of the poorest of the poor community members.

• IHA-UDP urgently needs support to continue its vital work – and especially to complete further building projects. If you would like to help, you can donate online or contact the Project directly to discuss current needs.

Details announced for UK Supporters’ Day

The date of the annual conference for UK-based Friends of the Project has now been announced.  The meeting will take place on Saturday, 10th October, and will run from 10am – 4pm.

As usual, the conference will take place in Cheltenham.  But do note a change of venue this year to Holy Apostles Church Hall.  For directions and a map, click here.

For more details, read a letter from Keith Holland, the organiser, here.  All are welcome.

Supporters get on their bikes!

Two project supporters are getting on their bikes to help raise money for IHA-UDP.

Bev and Hannah Hughes will be cycling along the well known “C2C” (sea to sea) route. They will start on Workington beach in the west and go across to the North Sea at Sunderland in the east, covering around 140 miles in three days. The ride will take them through the northern end of the English ‘Lake District’ to Penrith on day one. Day two is over much tougher terrain up and over the Pennines so they will cycle a few less miles. The final day will be down off the peaks to Sunderland and should be much easier as the last half of the day is fairly flat.

Hannah, who is aged 16, has just finished her GCSEs and is getting sponsorship for IHA-UDP. She hopes to raise several hundred pounds. Bev is slightly over 16.

If you would like to sponsor Bev and Hannah, then you can make a donation by clicking here. Don’t forget to also send them an email to let them know!

CRED team in the Zone

Simon Paylor reports on a trip led by CRED in the Autumn

In October 2008 The Cred Foundation took a group of 46 young people and youth workers from the UK to Addis Ababa to provide an activity week for IHA-UDP’s special needs provision (in the CBISDO area [that is, the first Project area]), and for some of the mainstream schools and youth clubs (in the AHISDO area [that is, the second Project area]).

An amazing week was had by all! This was the third trip organised by Cred, and each time the team visits, the aim is not only to give the children a fun time, but also to work developmentally as advised by a UK special needs expert. Indeed, Ethiopian staff also received significant special needs training during the trip, which was enthusiastically received. To top it all off, in addition to various bits of equipment and clothing, the team were able to leave a cheque for £10,000 for IHA-UDP’s work.

As great as this is, the biggest impact of all seems to fall on the young people taking part.  Here is an extract from one young person’s journal of the week:

“By going on this trip I have learnt that it’s the simple things in life that matter like family, friends and community and that it’s not all about material possessions. I have seen children that have absolutely nothing but still manage to have a smile on their face and children that get so excited about simple things like bubbles or a parachute. They had never seen things like this before and by being there for that week I may have changed their lives as well as mine. They will never forget me and I will never forget them because I built special relationships with them that are worth more than anything. They are the most kind and caring people in world and are willing to give up everything they have for us…can you imagine someone in England doing that?!

“One memory that I’m going to take away from my experiences in Ethiopia is when one little boy at the youth club offered me his meal when it was the only meal that he got in the day. He was prepared to give that up for me and that really made me think if they’re prepared to give up everything why are people over here so selfish when they have so much more!”

You can see more about this trip by watching the video below:

www.cred.org.uk

Website problems

The main IHA-UDP website, at www.ihaudp.org, is currently unavailable.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and hope that the website will resume full service soon.

In the meantime,you can visit the website at: www.iha-udp.org

You can also contact website@friendsofihaudp.org.uk if you would like further details about the project’s work, or how to make a donation.

Update: The problem has now been fixed, and the Project’s website can be browsed at the usual address, www.ihaudp.org

Friends buy medical equipment

An appeal by the Friends of IHAUDP has reached its fundraising target in order to buy an essential piece of medical equipment for the CBISDO community. The item is called an ‘autoclave’, and is used for sterilizing equipment.

Project supporter, Gill Wyatt, visited the project last year and was shocked to discover that the health post in the CBISDO area did not have a functioning autoclave.

Gill Wyatt on her visit to the project area

“When visiting the project in May last year I was amazed at how the doctor manages with so few resources”, says Gill, who is a nurse herself.  “He told us that the old autoclave he has (his only means of sterilising instruments) didn’t always work.  He couldn’t send it away for repair because then he would not even have an unreliable means of autoclaving.”

Since her trip, Gill has spear-headed a campaign amongst the Friends of the project to raise the funds for a new autoclave.  Support has come from a group at the local hospital, who nominated the appeal to receive part of the proceeds from their Christmas ball, and also an event at a nearby school where Steve Cahill, teacher and photographer, displayed some of his acclaimed pictures of the Project’s wowk.  The target of £4,000 has now been reached, and the new equipment is now being purchased for the health-post.

“Anyone who has visited the project will be aware that the electricity cuts are very frequent and therefore the doctor needs to be sure that he has a functioning autoclave when the electricity is available”, observes Gill.  “With high rates of both Aids and hepatitis (and of course many other diseases) an autoclave provides a secure way of sterilising equipment to prevent cross-infection.”