In Ethiopia, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programming brings sustainable physical and spiritual aid to South Sudanese refugees who fled violence in their home country. It also provides an opportunity for former South Sudanese refugees to volunteer and serve their friends, family, and fellow neighbors still living in the refugee camps and settlements. The shared experiences of both the volunteers and those being served allows for emotional healing to take place. The training provided by the visiting volunteers to the local health educators brings physical healing and illness prevention to those living in the refugee camps and settlements. And the devotions and prayers encourage spiritual healing and perseverance for all those who listen.
32 local health educator volunteers completed WASH training.
2,300+ people served
Six individuals represent the needs of the 6 geographic zones in refugee camps and settlements.
A former South Sudanese refugee shares a message of hope for refugees.
The shared experiences, language, and culture among visiting and local volunteers create opportunities for meaningful emotional and spiritual encouragement. Former refugees are trained in WASH and how to share their faith with others. When they arrive in a settlement, they provide local volunteers with the skills they need to care for the ongoing health and spiritual wellbeing of fellow community members.
In 2019 the first "local lead team" was created to further support the stability and local ownership of the program. Six individuals were chosen by their peers to oversee the health needs of the six geographical zones in the refugee camps and settlements currently being served by the local health educators.
Health issues related to unclean water and unsanitary conditions are a frequent occurrence in the refugee camps and settlements. WASH training provides local volunteers, known as health educators, with knowledge related to clean water and best practices for sanitation and hygiene. Local volunteers use the knowledge they receive to bless and benefit fellow refugees. These interactions create opportunities to share the message of the gospel.
Sarah was just 17 years old when everything she knew was taken from her. Whispers of war coming to her home country of Sudan slowly turned into metal bullets and bodies tossed into mass graves.Her mother’s...
3/24/2020 3:34:47 PM
Her mother’s voice, once strong, now caught with fear each time she said, “All would be ok.” As the darkness of the Second Sudanese Civil War descended across the country, it robbed, shattered, and uprooted the lives of millions—including Sarah's.
On one fateful day in 1992, war tore Sarah away from her family. Sarah's mother had secretly arranged for her to travel with relatives to a refugee camp. In her mother's eyes, Sarah was old enough to take care of herself and leaving was the only chance Sarah had to secure a good education. When the relatives arrived, Sarah remembers, “I didn't want to leave my mom and go, but she said, ‘God is great and will bring you back some day.’” Those were the last words Sarah clung to...
