Terrorized by famine and government
From a great height, not far from Lake Tana, the river plummets over the Blue Nile Falls. The Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia, one of the world’s poorest countries, often struck by drought. Because of this, around 49% of the population is undernourished. Fewer than half of them can read and write. Despite this, Ethiopians are cheerful, beautiful and friendly people.
Death from starvation
1984: Around one million people in Ethiopia die from starvation. At the same time, the communist reign of terror destroys one church after another, puts Christians in prisons and forces church movements underground.
Through Hans Ollesch, AVC establishes contact with an Ethiopian free church and begins supporting imprisoned Christians and their families. Parallel to this, workers are supported in passing on the good news of Jesus underground. Since the political change in 1991, Christians can practice their faith openly again. In 1996, AVC starts its sponsorship project “Bless a child”.
- They survived the famine...
- ... but remained poor
Hope and help for hundreds of thousands
Faith brings new prospects
AVC motivates and finances many Ethiopians today, too, who are taking the good news to their fellow countrymen. They reach thousands of people in remote areas who have never heard anything about Jesus before. In the last 18 years, hundreds of thousands have come into relationship with God and hundreds of churches have been planted.
Our partner church alone has grown from 70 000 members to over 2 million in the last 18 years. It goes without saying that this has a powerful social influence on the whole of society.
- Ethiopian family
- Wood, a vital but scarce commodity
- Education improves their chances for the future
Sponsoring children
The sponsorship project “Bless a child” ensures that 2800 children living below the poverty line can go to school and receive medical care. Many of them have become top of the class or even top of the school. Quite a lot of them have now been able to train in a profession or graduate from university.
Kindergartens
In the three kindergartens built by AVC, children are prepared for school.
Family support projects
Adult education and practical support have improved the income of many families and put them in a position to be able to provide for their children themselves.
