Let Us See a Glimpse of Ethiopia
by Father Robert P. Maloney, C. M.,
(former Superior General)
(Father Maloney, Superior General of the Vincentians, is
also the Superior General of the Daughters of Charity of
Saint Vincent de Paul.)
You have all often heard and read about Ethiopia. You
have seen pictures of the children starving there during
times of famine. I found my visit an unforgettable trip.
It was like entering another world. Let me briefly describe
a striking experience that I had there.
How Do Women Live in Ethiopia
It occurred in the southern part of Ethiopia near a place
called Arba Minch. We were about to go up a mountain in a
land rover. As we started out, I noticed a long row of
women beginning to climb the mountain on foot, carrying on
their backs huge piles of wood, which later their families
would use for building fires. I estimated that the loads of
wood weighed between 75 and 100 pounds. I asked the priest
who was with me how long it would take for them to reach the
top of the mountain. He told me that the climb would take
at least five hours!
From that day on, I have often thought about the life of
women in Ethiopia. Much of their day is spent searching for
wood and water and carrying it to their homes. Half of the
children die before reaching the age of five.
Vincentian Missionaries Focus on Educating Women in Ethiopia
In light of this, our priests and sisters focus much of their energy on education
programs for women; helping them to prepare for the birth of their children, teaching
them to boil water before giving it to their families to drink, instructing them
in basic health precautions that save the lives of many infants, training them
in simple skills like sewing and cooking, providing basic instruction in reading,
writing, and mathematics, catechizing them and organizing them in small worshipping
communities.
There is much work that needs to be done for the Lord in
Ethiopia. Your prayers and financial support make it
possible, "that you may be an instrument of salvation to the
ends of the earth." (Acts 13:47)
A Call for You
In the past, the Association has helped American missionaries in Taiwan or Kenya and
other worldwide missions of the Vincentians. If you would like to make a donation to help
the foreign missions continue their good work, you can do so by contacting the Association.
It is an opportunity for you to answer Christ's call to "make disciples of all nations."
Jesus said to his disciples, "But when the Son of Man comes,
will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) Vincentian missionaries bring the faith to the
remotest and poorest places of the earth. And you can help them.
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