Category: Around the World

Ethiopian Mission History

Carl Thompson and Bob Gowan started the Ethiopian Mission in 1961. The initial effort was intended to establish a elementary school as there was only 20% literacy and English was the second official language. However, after several months of dealing with governmental barriers it seemed impossible to accomplish that purpose.One day, Carl was standing in the Piazza in Addis Ababa and was approached by and Englishman who said, “You are a Yank aren’t you?” When he confirmed that in fact he was a Yank, Edgar Marler, the Englishman asked what are you doing here? Carl then described the difficulties about establishing a school.Edgar then suggested starting a school for the Deaf as there were no schools in Ethiopia but there was a small one in Eritrea which borders Ethiopia. He was with the United Nations (UNICEF) and was establishing workshops for handicapped individuals in Ethiopia. There were schools for the Blind and other handicapped persons could attend regular schools. He then connected Carl with Princess Sebela, a granddaughter of Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia to ask about property that may be available fora school for the deaf.She told Carl the Haile Selassie Foundation had no property available but that if he could secure someone to head up such a school that her mother, Princess Tenagnya Worq, may have property available. Gary Blake agreed to come to Ethiopia to head up and establish the school. Gary had just finished his MA in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University, the only University for the deaf in the USA. With that commitment, the Government granted permission and Princess Tenagnya Worq deeded the school about 4 acres Addis Ababa. In 1962, Gary was joined by Lennie Darden in the establishment of the school. Demere Cherenet, an Ethiopian school teacher, was hired to be the first Ethiopian teacher for the deaf. The first class consisted of 3 students and was soon joined 4 more. The most difficult thing we had to do was to convince the parents of deaf children that education was a good thing for them. Since that time more than 8,000 students have graduated and gone on to some higher education and into other activities. At some point, some hearing children became students as well. They were taught sign language and learned to communicate with the deaf students. Several years ago, a woman from a adoption foundation in Denmark was in Ethiopia to adopt two deaf children. It was going to take two years for the documentation to be completed before the adoption to be finished. She asked if there was a school for the deaf in Addis Ababa and was directed to the mission.When she connected Behailu Abebe at the school and asked about tuition and he told her there was no fee because the students were individually supported by persons in the U.S. for $25 per month. When she adopted the children and took them to Denmark and the foundation promised to support 120 students and have since that time. Demere developed a signing alphabet in Amharic so the children could also learn Amharic. In that way, it could be possible for the children to communicate with their parents. The Denmark foundation then set up a program at the school for the parents to learn the Amharic sign language. That foundation is still functioning in Ethiopia and funds training for judges, police, government workers and others in sign language. Demere has represented Ethiopia at International Deaf Conferences and has been honored for his work with the deaf. Some of the teachers trained at the school, at least 40, have gone on to teach in other schools started by the government and other groups. The mission now has 5 schools in different areas in Ethiopia. There are currently 350 students in Addis Ababa, 110 in Mazoria, 110 in Senteria, 85 in Nekempt and 85in a Jr. Hi in Awasa. In 2011, Carl was having breakfast in the hotel in Awasa and noticed the TV was on but didn’t pay muchattention to it while finishing eating. Then he looked up and there was a person signing. It was ashocking and amazing experience because he was watching an event he never expected. 48 years beforethat there was no education for the deaf in Ethiopia. Now, there is a weekly TV program for the deaf.The school has been spotlighted on TV and print several times. The school started technical training and clothing arts fairly early around 1970. Using this training the school made all the windows, playground equipment, desks and chairs and the uniforms for all the other schools and church buildings as they were opened. Students from the school have succeeded very well and have become small business owners, auto mechanics, welders, metal workers, construction, artists,writers, reporters and designers.One of the true success stories is Hiwot, one of the original students. Mary Curl was the first to teach her sewing and then by others. After she graduated she got a job sewing and ultimately able to purchase her own sewing machine. Her business grew to the point where she designs high end dresses, gowns,wedding and bridesmaid dresses. In fact, she has become one of the wealthiest women in Addis Ababa.She is standing in front of Demere.Having the school made it possible for the primary purpose of the mission to be very successful. That purpose was to establish churches to spread the Gospel. From that small beginning in 1961 good things happened. In 1968, the first training school for preaching was started by John Young from Stockton, CA with 13 students. That has now grown to five schools with intensive training for men who have been chosen and supported by their congregations. At this time, more than 2,000 preachers, elders and leaders have been trained in the schools. As a result of the evangelistic outreach more than 1,000churches have been established. All of these churches are self-supporting as no funds are provided from the U.S. The teachers in the schools do receive some American funding. No American missionaries from the Church of Christ have been stationed in Ethiopia since 1974. After the Communist regime was defeated, several Americans have made many short term missions for training and instruction. As in most undeveloped countries, unclean water contributes to children mortality and diseases. Early in2000, Manna International selected Curt King from Seattle, WA, a drilling specialist who had vast experience drilling wells in Africa and Haiti to go to Ethiopia. Most of the funds were raised through churches in the U.S., about $5,000 per well. The Ethiopian government chose the locations and gave permission to begin drilling. They were so fast and successful compared to other active drillers the government and UNICEF made contracts to provide most of the costs to continue drilling. To date, 625wells have been drilled providing 2,500,000 people with clean drinking and cooking water. The well drilling program has been so successful the mission decided to choose 22 most experienced evangelists to move to areas where the drilling was taking places. Consequently, churches we reestablished and growing in these areas. Kindergarten schools for Ethiopians require a tuition for attendance. As many families lack the funds, it is impossible for their children to attend. A decision was made to begin a kindergarten in Shinschichofirst, then in Nekempt and finally Jimma. In excess of 1,500 students have attended kindergarten and gone on to regular government schools. Currently there are 115 students in each of the schools. They are provided breakfast of bread and tea and their uniforms sewn by the deaf school in Addis Ababa.When computers and finally the internet became available in Ethiopia another opportunity arose. The Jr.Hi. school started training students to use computers. It was so successful there was an opportunity to teach people in Awasa so they could apply for jobs at companies and the government. Then another computer training school was started in Addis Ababa at the deaf school.