March 2021 – April 2022
It has been another bad year for Lalibela. In addition to
the COVID virus, the civil war between the government and the Tigray People’s
Liberation Front (TPLF) spilled into Amhara region in the summer of 2021. The
TPLF took control of, and completely closed down, Lalibela in early August. Most
of the young men left Lalibela at that time to avoid being forcibly conscripted
to the TPLF or shot.
The UK committee agreed that the monthly payments to the
students should continue while they were not in the education system as there
was no chance of any employment and they needed this money to survive. Teshale
was amazing in keeping track of where everyone was and ensuring that their
money reached them.
The government army regained control at the end of December
and the town is gradually getting back to normal. Most schools reopened in
early February with some a bit later because of the damage that had been done.
The students at College and University were in towns outside Lalibela and most
of their studies were not affected by the war.
I am delighted that 5 of our students graduated between July
2021 and January 2022. Mengistu has always been a favourite of mine as he was a
student in the very first class at the school in Erfa when I went there in
2007.
Many of you tell me that you love all the photographs. For
the first time since the fund started in 2009, we were unable to hold the
September meeting as the town was occupied by the TPLF. We always hold the
meeting in September as it is Ethiopian New Year and most students are back
with their families for the holiday. I therefore apologise for the lack of
photographs and hope that all will be back to normal this September.
In the 12 months between 1 September 2020 and 31 August
2021, we distributed 564,315.00 Ethiopian Birr (approximately £10, 200).
The exchange rate is now up to 64 Birr per UK pound so a
little money goes a very long way.
Because of inflation, it was agreed to increase the monthly payments
from 800 to 1,000 birr as from September 2021 (equivalent to approx.. £16).
The Bude Methodist Church continues to support our students
studying in the medical field.
Thanks
are due to all the people who give their time and expertise to ensure the
smooth running of the programme.
Thanks
to Tefera, Habtamu and Teshale from the Lalibelan committee.
Morag
resigned from the Scottish committee and we thank her for all the help she has
given. We welcome Joan Lees to the committee and look forward to working with
her.
Thanks
to June, Margaret, Morag and Joan from the Scottish committee.
Thanks
to Simon for his computer expertise and for keeping the website updated.
Thanks to Maureen for her expertise in auditing the accounts.
Susan.
You can download the full SASF Fund Report 2020-21 as a PDF for printing or offline viewing
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