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PROJECT: Urban Minsitry EthiopiaThe Children and Youth Project is part of our urban ministries in Ethiopia. It provides assistance to 250 children living in the community around SIM Headquarters in the city of Addis Ababa. The community is one of the poorest areas in the whole city, with many family units having only one parent. There is very little income in the families, not enough to buy sufficient food and pay the rent, let alone paying school fees, uniforms and books for schooling for the children.
Let me tell you the story of just one of the children we help. Kidone is 16 years old and currently in 9th grade. The Children and Youth project has been supporting Kidone for the past five years and paying for his school fees and materials. SIM used to provide a small food allowance for the family, but had to discontinue that help due to budget cuts in the project. Kidone lives in a tiny one-room house with his three other siblings and both parents. They all share one bunk bed each night when they go to sleep. His mother works very hard as a daily labourer, but only manages to earn approximately 40 Ethiopian birr each month (about NZ $8-10). Kidone's father does not support the family financially because he suffers from a `mental illness and most days is out wandering on the streets, unable to work or find ways to support his family. The small income that Kidone's mother earns each month is not enough to pay for all the bills, feed the family and pay for schooling. The family is very thankful that SIM is able to help pay for the school fees, with hopes that with a complete education, Kidone will be able to support himself and help support his family in the future when he gets a job. Kidone decided to become a Christian during the last home visit after listening to teaching and witnessing from one of the Children and Youth Staff social workers. His mother, Desta, also committed her life to Christ during the home visit. Please pray that both Desta and Kidone would find strength and peace in their new found relationship with God, and be witnesses to the rest of the family, who still follow the traditions of the Orthodox religion. To see this vital ministry continue, we are hoping to find 250 people prepared to provide for the needs of 1 child @ $33 per month. If you would like to help, please contact us. You may also wish to read Donate Online via our Secure Credit Card Form Pledge Support by Cheque or Automated Payment For more information contact the SIM office on 09 535 0060 or email them at info@sim.org.nz
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The Urban Ministry team has been helping families in the surrounding community since 1994. As well as paying for the education for 250 children, we give extra tuition after school, look after their medical needs, and give a lot of spiritual teaching (weekly Bible studies, holiday programmes and camps). We have also been helping with some house rent and extra food assistance. We often visit homes and in doing so reach the whole family, not just the children. This has led to many of the parents and other relatives and neighbours hearing the gospel and becoming believers.
