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Updates from Gary & Peggy Ifft
February 2011
Christmas was celebrated on Jan. 7 with a special program, which included singing carols, a message from an evangelist and a drama of the Christmas story starring some of the older students. Since many of our students come from Muslim or atheist homes this is a great opportunity to share Christ. Read more >>
October 2010
"School is now in session! We are happy to report that all three of our school campuses are successfully operating and approximately 430 young children are receiving the best education available in Ziway... read more>>
August 2010
“Work on the new school and feeding program is progressing well as we continue the countdown toward the first day of school. Lots of things need to come together, but Lord willing, they will.” read more>>
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Lifesong-Ethiopia Current Projects
Adami Tulu Nursery School
Several years ago the Meserete Kristos Church (the church Misgana Ministries is working alongside) opened a small nursery school in the next town south of Ziway called Adami Tulu. With two shifts of students, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, they accommodated nearly 150 students.
Unfortunately, in 2007, because of lack of funds, the school was closed. Because the compound was not being used, the government sent notice they were going to take it back and give it to investors not of the Christian faith. read more >>
Adami Tulu School Feeding Program
For background, please see the Ziway School Feeding Program and the Adami Tulu Nursery School pages. Now that the Adami Tulu Nursery School has re-opened, Misgana Ministries has also started a similar breakfast and lunch feeding program there.
The Ziway school feeding program, in which 300 children are fed two meals each day, has been very successful. Parents, teachers, and the students themselves report that they are much healthier, more attentive in class, and have more muscle and skin tone. read more >>
Christian School Project
The school situation in the town of Ziway is very inadequate. Many children simply do not have the opportunity to attend school at any level or in any facility. The government schools are overcrowded with up to 75 students per classroom. Private schools tend to be somewhat better, but usually have 40-50 students per class. Whether private or public, the schools are lacking in even the basics. Students must share textbooks and cannot take their textbooks home. Even standard items such as chalk and pencils are in short supply and must be severely rationed. learn more >>
Complete Church Construction
Lifesong is working with the Meserete Kristos (in Amharic, it means Foundation of Christ) in the town of Ziway. The church has been very focused on evangelism, outreach and the initial school. The rapidly growing congregation is currently meeting in a mud building, which they have outgrown. They are in process of building a large facility to accommodate the entire congregation. learn more >>
Evangelistic Outreach to Muslims
One of Misgana Ministries’ priorities is to reach our community and the surrounding areas for Jesus. In this predominantly Muslim and Orthodox Christian area, sharing the Good News is of utmost importance. read more >>
Build & Operate a Group Home
There are so many orphans and homeless kids in Ziway. It is impossible not to be touched by their dire living conditions, often on the street begging and hoping to find a few discarded morsels of food.
A friend of ours took one homeless boy to school, paid his school fees, and gave him a shower and new clothes. Expecting to find him in school the next day, he discovered the boy had disappeared. read more >>
Ziway School Feeding Program
A hungry student is not able to concentrate in the classroom and has a difficult time learning. We found many of the students in the Ziway Meserete Kristos School were coming to school hungry and brought no food for lunch. Teachers complained of lack of attention on the students’ part. read more >>
About Ethiopia
Location
Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Capital City
Addis Ababa
Area
1,104,300 sq km (slightly less than twice the size of Texas)
Population
85,237,338
Languages
Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census)
Religion
Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)
**data from www.cia.gov
