Join Hands Join Heart: A 20 years Journey in Ethiopia | Serena Suen

[ ‘SHARE’ Nov-Dec 2015 ] FOCUS ~ MINISTRY

Written by: Serena Suen (Programme Officer)

In the past 20 years, Hong Kong was returned to China, experienced the Asian Financial Crisis, overcame SARS, went through the Umbrella Movement and experienced many more events. Across the globe in Ethiopia, its capital city Addis Ababa also came out of a 17-year civil war and survived the notorious famine which took 400,000 lives. As the country gradually moved out of the shadow of famine and achieved the highest economic growth in Africa, a generation of children has grown up as well.

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Restoring Women’s Self-worth and Dignity by Breaking Cultural Vices

[ ‘SHARE’ Nov-Dec 2015 ] STEP INTO THE WORLD

Breaking cultural vices needs constant intervention and promotion to achieve results. CEDAR’s partner in Ethiopia, Kale Heywet Church Development Commission (EKHC-DC), fights against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Although FGM is banned, the traditional thinking and practice of genital mutilation as a means of ensuring chastity is deep-rooted. EKHC-DC therefore actively educates the public on the harmfulness of FGM through promotional events and workshops, and organises “combat groups” and ‘public awareness ambassadors’ to fight against FGM.

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Serving AIDS Orphans with the Zimbabwean Churches

[ ‘SHARE’ Nov-Dec 2015 ] JOIN HANDS JOIN HEARTS

Zimbabwe is infamous for its hyperinflation. In 2008, the country had an inflation rate of billions percent. High inflation, unemployment and high prevalence of AIDS all contribute to the country’s poverty.

Many children there are orphaned at a young age as a result of losing one or both of their parents to AIDS. CEDAR’s partner in Zimbabwe, Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT), has over the years collaborated with local churches to look after AIDS orphans and families. Our conversation with Rev. Never Femayi who is involved with FACT’s ministry, helps us to learn more about the work among the children living on the margins of society.

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A Move for Fair-trade in Africa | Sara

[ ‘SHARE’ Nov-Dec 2015 ] TAKING ACTION

Written by: Sara

Loathing for unfair trading

People often think of Africa’s poverty and unending problems. Colonial aggression severely exploited African lives and natural resources, African raw materials such as cotton, coffee and cocoa beans were bought way below market price by European countries but resold worldwide as high-end products after further processing. European traders made the maximum profit while African farmers remained destitute and exposed to the risk of losing everything if disaster strikes. Isn’t it ironic that many such farmers never tasted the coffee or chocolate they grew because they could not afford it?

Continue reading A Move for Fair-trade in Africa | Sara