ABYSSINIA HOMELESS HANDICAPS CO-OPERATIVE

A group of 27 disabled persons living in Tigray, Ethiopia, have formed a co-operative for mutual support and to improve their quality of life. None of the 27 persons has a permanent home and many are living in make-shift conditions such as under tarpaulins within Church grounds. Others are living under shelter in the grounds of houses to whom they pay rent to the owners. Some are living with friends while those who do have some form of employment spend between a third and a half of their wages on accommodation. Therefore the first initiative of the co-operative has been to seek permanent housing for its members.

Land has been given by the regional authorities and plans drawn up by an architect for the erection of blocks of single story units. Building has started but limited financial support has constrained development. On a recent visit to Tigray Helen Pitt met with members of the co-operative and visited the building site.

Members of the Co-op inspecting the foundation of their first home in February 2005. Additional support is needed to help them get the building completed.

Let us meet some of the members:

….is secretary of the co-operative and is studying accounting. Born with club feet he is however mobile as he has learnt to walk with his badly deformed feet. A sincere young man he lives in the church grounds and receives some assistance from the church services he performs. He is 35 years of age but cannot think of marriage until he has a home.

….. was disabled by polio at the age of six years. Her blind husband is in Addis Ababa studying. She is responsible for her…children and a blind mother who lives with her. Her source of income is petty trading through the sale of charcoal which she sells from her very old tricycle.

…a polio victim from the age of 3 years walks with the aid of elbow crutches. She speaks some English and has a Diploma in Secretarial Science. She works at the Supreme Court as a typist. Her husband divorced her so she in now responsible for her three children. Of her net monthly salary of 310 birr (Aust $ 48.00) she pays half in rent.

…left his farm in the central zone of Tigray where his wife and 8 children still live. He lost a limb through stepping on a UXO. He works as a guard and lives on the premises and sends money back to his family. He wants a home so he can bring his family to Mekelle.

…was born without any arms. She lives in the church grounds with her two brothers and a mother. Her father died last year so she supports her mother. The family left Howzien, a rural town in Tigray and travelled to Mekelle in the hope of getting employment. A bright intelligent lass she attended school until the 8th Grade. She writes with her toes and would like to do something useful but often has to resort to begging.

Getting support for projects such as building permanent homes is difficult. Most international donors will fund health, education, water and sanitation projects and other development programs but very few will fund humanitarian projects such as building homes. While we thoroughly promote and are involved in assisting long-term development programs it is also necessary to support those who are among the most disadvantaged in society.

The Co-operative is legally registered with its own constitution, elected office bearers and bank account. The above documents have been sighted by Helen Pitt during her visit to Tigray. She had meetings with committee members and was told of the future plans of the co-operative which included the development of income-generating projects.

We are asking for your financial assistance to support this group of people who are endeavouring to help themselves and their families to have 'a home' and a livelihood.