In Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, life is a daily struggle for hundreds of families displaced by conflict, with no future in sight, and living in destitution and isolation.

'The Way of the Forgotten’ project was for them, the ‘forgotten ones’. Sister Woynitu’s aim was simple but essential: to reach out to those who are no longer seen, to meet the basic needs of displaced persons so that survival might finally give way to hope.

Practical steps to heal the wounds

As soon as the funds were received, an assessment was carried out in collaboration with neighbourhood leaders and local parishes to identify, without discrimination, the most vulnerable families: single women, children and displaced people living in appalling conditions.

Essential food items were purchased, warm clothing was distributed, and medical care was provided. 

“The food was not just a meal; it was a balm for wounded lives. Every parcel, every journey made to deliver aid, every medical consultation was carried out with a single aim: to restore dignity.” Sr Woynitu 

Mothers who are smiling again

The impact is, above all, human, as illustrated by the story of this young, displaced mother who was struggling to feed her children. Exhausted and desperate, she could see no way out. The support provided by the project enabled her to receive vital assistance. “I had vanished from the world’s sight,” she says. “Today, I feel that someone has seen me, that I am no longer alone.”
That sentence sums it all up: the project has given a face back to those who felt invisible.

In total, 80 people received direct assistance and more than 150 of their family members benefited indirectly from this solidarity. Women and children, who are always the hardest hit by precarious circumstances, were at the heart of this initiative. Evaluations show a marked reduction in anxiety and a renewed sense of confidence in the future.
No major obstacles hindered the project, which was successfully carried out thanks to a committed local team and rigorous planning.

A flame that must continue to burn

“This project is a promise never to let indifference prevail. Emergency aid brought physical relief, but it was the care shown to each individual that healed their hearts. Thank you for lighting their way.” Sr Woynitu