News from HOPe

ETHIOPIA - An Ancient Land in Dire Need!

Ethiopia is located in what is known as the Horn of Africa. It is one of the most ancient countries in the world and the second largest country in Africa. A population of close to 8o million people stretches the meager resources of this poor area. Unlike other countries in Africa, Ethiopia has been an independent nation, tracing its roots back to the 10th century B.C. Unfortunately, today it is one of the poorest countries on earth. The tragedy is compounded by the scourge of Aids. Three decades ago, this pandemic struck Ethiopia with a vengeance.

The preceding statement serves as a backdrop to our initiative now underway in Ethiopia. Three international organizations decided to join resources to assist this ancient land and its people, in particular the women and girls of Ethiopia. Aids Partnership in Africa (APA) based in Ireland, Comunita Voluntai per il Mondo, founded in Italy, and HOPe, our organization, joined together to address the problem of HIV/AIDS and its impact in the Amhara Region of North West Ethiopia. This region of Ethiopia was selected because 32% of the country's population with confirmed cases of AIDS lives in this area. An overwhelming number of women and girls have been victims of this insidious disease!

The project has many facets including the intensification of voluntary counseling and testing, anti-retroviral treatment, and protection of mother-to-child transmission of the disease. A major component is the education of the population in terms of the disease and the prevention of its spread. As a result, numerous workshops have addressed a multiplicity of concerns, especially the needs of those who are perceived as "the most vulnerable persons" at risk of HIV/AIDS and violence. These people are orphan children, street children, disabled and elderly people, people living with HIV and AIDS, rural poor women, girls and migrants.

A key strategy in mobilizing the public in response to HIV/AIDS is women capacity building and empowerment. Consequently, providing training for targeted women groups, the training of Trainers, and the establishment of support groups in different towns has been part of the overall plan to empower women. In addition, providing basic, business skill trainings for women and motivating them to engage in income generating activities is another objective in order to empower women and enhance their sense of confidence and self esteem. Other components to this project focus on the needs of orphans, migrants from rural areas, and the exploitation of daily laborers and housemaids who are often exploited sexually, thereby spreading the scourge of AIDS.

In short, the pandemic is having massive costs in human life and resources. Our effort in Ethiopia is critically needed to prevent a disaster that will be irreversible and far reaching.

Joe McCarthy