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Dorothy
Russell HansonPCUSA Consultant on AIDS - East Africa Dorothy Hanson PO Box 1111 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Email: Dorothy Hanson More news and letters from Dorothy Hanson online at the PCUSA site Update from Dorothy - November 21, 2005 Report from Gulale Compound - July 2006 Maji Report and Prayer Requests - February 2007 Gambella Report - June 2007 June 2007 Gambella Report - Recent Activities if Dorothy Hanson and Rachel Weller Background and Planning Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) provided a big grant to the two Synods (East Gambella Bethel Synod and West Gambella Bethel Synod) to reconstruct after the "massacre". This included a new Toyota Land Cruiser, supplying the BIG need for a vehicle there (it is kept and maintained by WGBS). There is a project director for this grant, etc. In 2006 PC(USA) funded a Community Baseline Survey (to determine how the children were affected, by counting those who received only one meal/day, the children who were orphaned, the child-headed households, etc.). Based on the findings, the two Synods have grants written to request funding from UNICEF (who had pulled out of Gambella, but indicated they wanted to work with the church). (Unfortunately an American woman, born here, an Anuak, visited the UNICEF rep in Gambella and told him how far behind they were in assisting, etc., etc., etc. - she pissed him off! so we are waiting for him to cool down and get on board with us again.) Anuak Bare (they may have a web site) and another group, both from Spokane, WA, have decided to DO something for the orphans. 1) Anuak Bare has built an orphanage, chosen the children and are providing services, personnel and care for 15 boys and 15 girls. From all the experts in child care, particularly the care of orphans in Africa, orphan care should remain community-based, not isolating them in an orphanage. We tried very hard to share our Baseline Survey results as well as the recommendations of the experts, but the group, headed by an American Anuak, Agwa Taka (agwataka@hotmail.com) pushed the orphanage through. It has been up and running for several months and one or more US volunteer(s) are present most of the time. 2) The "other" group, who's name escapes me can be reached through Carolyn Holmes (windmillfarm@inland-imaging.com). This group worked with and in the community when they visited (Anuaks). But no true partnership has developed from either group as yet. Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF, affiliated with PCUSA) funded a $15,000 grant (EGBS) for women initiative on HIV/AIDS prevention and control, underway now. (Unfortunately the lead woman who helped write this (Seminary graduate) was hired away by Anuak Bare as the Director of the orphanage, prior to the award of this grant.) EGBS has identified staff and office space and the grant activities have begun. Finally, Presbyterian Women provided $15,000 for a grant targeted at the Bethel Synods in Ethiopia, first envisioned as Training for Transformation and patterned after a similar PW grant carried out in West Africa (see report on PCUSA Web Site, World Wide Mission AIDS). But Caryl Weinberg, Rachel Weller and I re-envisioned it and we are using Medical Ambassadors International, recently renamed LifeWind. June 4-6 we will begin with a Vision Seminar in which the two Gambella Synods will choose the Presbytery(ies) where this will be carried out. It is Community Health Evangelism (development by, with and for the people themselves with the resources available in the community). The $15,000 is first year only of a 5 year plan/program, which will thereafter continue to grow and become self-sustaining. Please pray for Rachel, Dorothy and the two Ethiopian trainers from LifeWind as well as the two Synods' participants that first week in June. ---------------------------------------------------------- News Release: June 4-6 Vision Seminar Report June 4-6 a Vision Seminar, sponsored by Presbyterian Women and taught by LifeWind (formerly Medical Ambassadors International) on Community Health Evangelism brought participants from both East Gambella Bethel Synod (10) and West Gambella Bethel Synod (17) 
administration and Presbyteries. Participants contemplated Isaiah
58:6-12 from which listeners learned that God's way is both a spiritual and
physical ministry. This led to discussing the true meaning of holistic
ministry. Melaku took the group through Luke 4:16-21, Luke 10:27, Matthew
28:18-20 and Matthew 25: 33+ making sure the participants knew Jesus Commandment
(in the middle of the Good Samaritan story) and the Great Commission.
By the tea break, the group was accepting the challenge that the church must
serve the whole person. Later in the morning small groups defined community,
target area and answered the questions Is a city a community? "No" and
are Christians a community? "Yes". Because it is so hot here in Gambella,
the lunch break is three hours long. When we returned we chose to work
outside under the trees. Harmony was the theme - with God, with self,
with others, with the environment (again in small groups).
Photo (7035a – Paul Olow Dene, WGBS
Social Service Director records the findings of his
small group. Afternoon meetings were held outside on the WGBS
compound. Note the Nuer homes in the background, on the compound.)
During the Introductions on Monday evening, each individual was matched with someone he/she did not know. This was done by distributing slips of paper with two identities that needed each other. Melaku, trainer, was an airplane passenger and was matched with our oldest participant, Rev Paul Biel Doar, a pilot. Then each introduced his new "friend". Rev Paul's identity as PILOT continued throughout the entire training. His wisdom began to come through as he told stories which illustrated what Melaku had just taught. For example, the difference between Relief and Development. Rev Paul raised his hand and said (translated back to us), "when you give to someone, if you stop giving, he will insult you." Photo (RevPaul – Rev Paul Biel Doar at 70 was the oldest member of the group. He likes to work and is reported to continue to work and to 
successfully get others to work for the church. His home is across the
road from WGBS compound but his vast fields are outside the town.)Through stories and role play the seminar finished using available resources 1) competitive game throwing stones into a circle to demonstrate the value of choosing a project in which the community or family could feel success, 2) the road to health was drawn on the ground, each participant placed a stick symbolizing her/his idea for a project across the road, finally everyone voted for the projects by placing one of their three leaves on the projects they wanted. Leaves were counted and water, latrine and school were the top three projects selected. Photo (7084a – The road to health drawn in the dirt was marked with problems the participants thought needed attention. Here Peter, WGBS Project Manager counts the “votes” (each participant had three leaves with which to cast his/her votes).) Throughout the last day a team of women prepared a traditional meal (photo 7066a – Women of the WGBS prepare food for the last evening feast 
when everyone came together again for the closing. Woman on the right
is chopping the sheep’s stomach lining (delicacy) with a spear head.) and
the EGBS group arrived to eat with us as darkness fell on Gambella.
It was a fitting way to end, uniting once again after our separate trainings.
The Nuer women who served us began to sing a farewell as we boarded the car
to leave. Inside the car the Anuak women sang a different song.
As we drove in the darkness through Gambella, the Nuer driver turned on the
flashing warning lights, honked in time to the singing and, having no drum,
Dorothy Hanson, Mission Co-worker, beat on the outside of the door of the
car. Children along the side of the road began to dance. Joy filled
the night air.Participants were enthusiastic about the training received and West Gambella Bethel Synod administrative staff seem well equipped to take the next steps (selecting 2 Nuer Master Trainers who will receive the TOT). EGBS administrative staff met with us Friday morning selecting both Anuak and Mejengre (4 Master Trainers) for their next step. Thank you to Presbyterian Women, a five-year Community Health Evangelism program was launched successfully. Funding for the following years is required. Donations may be made by contacting Joy Raatz (jraatz@ctr.pcusa.org), in the PCUSA International Health Ministries Office, can advise you about how to donate. Prayerfully, Dorothy Hanson Maji Report and Prayer Requests February, 2007 Download Report - Adobe format The compound in Maji was returned to South West Bethel Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, from the government, in 2006 – Praise God. Phase I – remodeling, started when two truck loads of materials and the contractor were dispatched. Persistent rain prevented the trucks from making it down the hill to the compound. This together with other reports of delays and problems reported by Petros Tsanos, President of SWBS, I heard myself say to him, “Petros, I believe we need to have a cleansing, a deliverance for the Maji property. We need to claim it for God’s work and in Jesus Name, cast out all negative influences.” He and other SWBS staff agreed. In the meantime Gwen Haspels invited me to teach HIV prevention to the women in Tulegit at the Suri Project again this year. How to get there? Then, remembering that Trinity UPC of Santa Ana, CA engineer team was visiting in February, we both came on the idea that I could travel with them. Then Gwen mused, “I wish you could repeat this program in Maji. Trinity Team intends to go there to take water measurements – you could travel there with them also.” So plans were laid, dates set and SWBS Development Office mobilized resources to invite and feed up to 50 people. On February 16, 2007 John Haspels drove the Trinity Team, my translator Gash Kebed (nurse from Gwen Haspels clinic), SIL translator Haile Mariam (who would translate into Deze) and 3 women from Tum and Dorothy Hanson to Maji. Once I got my directions, I raised my hands to the heavens, calling on Jesus name, first to the East, then to the South, then facing the West and finally the North. We had arrived to do God’s work and I wanted to claim His presence on this choice piece of real estate in remote southwest Ethiopia. The contractor proudly showed us the completed work on the Kurtz and Templin houses. Which one would we like to stay in? We chose the smaller, cozier Templin house which we shared with Tadessa, the contractor. Everyone warned me that I would be cold – I was prepared for overnight, but found it no colder than my bedroom at BSCO here in Addis Ababa. February 17 we awoke to rain. Ah, God is washing the compound. Trudging up the hill to the church, in the rain, we started our program with worship and introductions. The brisk wind blew outside. Oh, the Holy Spirit is blowing around us. We were without the Development Team from SWBS. Later we learned of their vehicle breakdown the day before. Three officials and a cook (the contractor’s wife) arrived in time to join us – the 36 participants, two translators and myself – when, instead of tea break, we walked back down to the compound to claim it for Jesus work. Together we circled the inside perimeter (now fenced with new barbed wire) singing (in Deze), then praying at the entrance. By this time the sun was shining brightly. Yes, God is smiling on us! This two-day HIV Prevention workshop was very different from the one held in Tulegit with the Suri earlier in the week. Maji participants wanted to know what to say to someone who is HIV+. They claimed there are two kinds of people – those who fear God and those who sin and contract the virus. They know people who are infected and are acquainted with what AIDS looks like as it takes lives away. Testing is available in Tum and Maji, but for medicines one must travel to Aman, Jimma or Addis Ababa. (In Tulegit, however, the virus has not entered, praise God.) Scripture made up the greatest portion of the teaching. I was so grateful for Haile Mariam, who, once given a list of scriptures, could read in Amharic, then translate into Deze. God was present as we learned together! And so the work in Maji has been launched at SWBS EECMY Multi Purpose Training Center. I am encouraging everyone to find a meaningful Deze name for the center. And this leads me to ask you to pray for: 1. SWBS administration clear vision and plan for the center. 2. Evangelist for the Maji Parish (Qes Keneto, a Kafa, came, assigned from Mizan Teferi but was rejected by the congregation) 3. Reconciliation between the four families who run the Maji congregation (<50 members participating, out of 200). 4. Safe and smooth completion of Phase I. Together our prayers are a covenant – an agreement and Jesus said He will honor the gathering of even 2 or 3, after a covenant together, prayer requests. I acknowledge that I am a novice – those receiving this communication can add wisdom as we go. God has blessed me in allowing me to return to the property that Fred Russell, my father, Charles Haspels and Bill DenDulk surveyed for the United Presbyterian Church in what year? (My mother’s Diary accounts events or regular life there, with Nessie Pollock as nurse, in 1952 and 53.) Prayerfully, Dorothy Hanson, hagodcares@ethionet.et PC(USA) Mission Personnel assigned to Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Development and Social Service Commission HIV and AIDS Prevention Program July 9, 2006 Gulale Compound Report from Dorothy Hanson Download Report 
The BSCO Coordinator is now Ojud, President of EGBS. He looks very handsome behind Solomon’s desk. Asnaketch is the one who knows everything, as always! The wall, gate and widened driveway all look very nice, but we endured weeks of red dirt dumped where we park, tracked into our homes and FINALLY distributed about the grassy areas. This provided level areas where trees left indentures, etc. in the past. Seed was sown last week and I can now report seeing grass shoots coming through the red dirt. John Haspels observed that this was not top soil being brought in so we wondered if grass would grow?! The flower bed in front of the Upper Guest House is graced by bright marigolds that are soaking up the sunshine they receive (unfortunately not every morning during rainy season) since the big tree was removed and the others trimmed. Council meeting of Bethel Synods Presidents decisions: 1. Ato Alemu and his wife, Ganet, moved into their house on the compound (next to Ato Joseph), having waited a year (since Solomon died). He is a happy man – working about the compound more and always available in the middle of the night for airport runs. 2. Dorothy Hanson was officially asked to carry out the duties formerly performed by Rachel Weller in connection with Guest House hospitality, “but only until Rachel returns”. Lower Guest House now has one page of all information copied, inserted into plastic sleeves and placed in each room. Lines for drying in the basement are yet to be installed! Next week the Girls’ School starts up with some special summer classes, “required” for certain levels. July 8 was kindergarten graduation – how sweetly they sang and all these little girls in graduation gowns, caps and carrying flowers! The Lower Guest House will bulge next week with the McCarteys + Trinity’s 9 guests. Dr. Mammo and another Ethiopian guest continue to reside there. Dorothy will take Colleen, the volunteer teacher from Dembi Dollo, into her guest room to help with the overflow. On June 11, a small wedding and reception were held in Dorothy’s home. The appearance of one of the guests (hair) and the music, provided “concern” which was reported back to Dorothy later. The groom was Tsegaab, the resident of my Guest Room since February. He has since departed for Dubai and will not be returning to my guest room. Laptop computer requests, which have been going out for at least a year, will be met when Trinity arrives with four. Ato Getachew’s son and Gilo Goro will be the beneficiaries and the other two will go to SWBS (partner of Trinity). Three Anuaks from America and two American women (all from Spokane, WA) returned safely from their two weeks in Gambella, building an orphanage. Ojud is very happy that “someone is finally doing something for Gambella.” A Menlo Park group is coming at the end of July. After talking to Frank Marsh, who rates our guest house very high, they want meals also. Diane Dittmar is the leader (ddittmar@mppc.org) No promises for future Gulale Compound reports, but hope you enjoyed these newsy bits. Dorothy Hanson, Missionary in Residence November 21, 2005 Once again, a report from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – after much pondering, here is an attempt to explain what is happening here. After a very short ‘strike’ in which shops were closed and taxis and buses did not operate, the city seemed to return to normal. Life seems to be buzzing again, transport moving, people working, but the stories that continue to surface tell us that under the apparent peace, many families are experiencing loss of a loved one. Young men were the target, taken at gunpoint from their homes at night. Youth were sometimes arrested from the streets. Here is a story that I heard today: Brothers were playing with two young children (relatives) on the side of the road one afternoon. When approached by the police, one answered the questions politely but both were arrested and taken away. The children ran to their mother and told her what happened. Nothing was heard from the brothers or of their whereabouts. In prison, the brothers were called out one night and asked if they voted for the opposition. Denying that, the police called them liars and then told them to go cultivate the forest. This was the middle of the night. The older brother spoke out explaining that he was a worker, his brother was a student, the police took them from the side of the road where they were playing with the children in the family. They didn’t vote for the opposition and they would gladly cultivate the forest but in the night there were wild animals in the forest, could they wait until it was light? At this the speaker was shot and his brother returned inside the prison. The next morning the younger brother was released after being told never to tell anyone about what had happened. When he arrived home 7 or 8 days after disappearing, ‘his head was not right’. When his mother asked him “where is your brother?”, he answered, “he will come.” Then his mother began to cry and to tell about her dream. In a vision, she saw her son killed. When he heard this, he broke down and told her the whole story. This Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving, not as we would in the USA, but some of us are gathering to eat together, bringing traditional dishes such as sweet potatoes, stuffing and poultry. There is little thanks giving here. Shambel (General) (who was married to Elsabet Koroso, former director of the girl’s school here and Minneapolis resident for many years) lives here on this compound. He served under Haile Selassie and has found refuge here more than once. At 82 years of age, he is observant and wise. He believes that the Dictator, Meles Zenawie, current Prime Minister, will fall. The people are confidant that God is with them – please continue to pray for the people of Ethiopia. Dorothy Hanson, PCUSA Mission Personnel Consultant to EECMY HIV/AIDS program |