Lifesong-Ethiopia

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.

The plot of land is large and very functional. It lies on the main asphalt road that goes from the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, down to Kenya. Understanding how hard it is to get good land and the utility of this piece of land, Misgana Ministries decided to do everything possible to save the property.

Thanks to the generosity of a few donors, we have re-opened the school and currently 65 young students are being taught. The school needs a lot of work and lacks many of the basics. There is a shortage of even the basic necessities such as chalk, pencils, and exercise books.

Misgana Ministries has started a feeding program for the students, similar to the feeding program for the primary school in Ziway. Prior to the feeding program, the children attended school for only half a day. Now, being served a nutritious breakfast and lunch, the children are able to attend school all day. They are healthier and more attentive, according to their parents and teachers.

It is a great piece of property with potential for future development, including a grade school or a group home for children. In addition the government officials have told us that when they see any development taking place (school, group home) taking place inside the current compound, they will give us an even larger piece of property just outside the main gate. This property also lies on the main highway and has tremendous potential for future development.

Adami Tulu Nursery School

Nursery School Students at Adami Tulu

About Ethiopia

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