Since 1927, the Daughters of Charity have established a strong presence in Ethiopia. In Addis Ababa, the capital, modernity and deprivation coexist. The city is growing rapidly, but 80% of the population continues to live in unsanitary conditions, with very low incomes and limited access to essential services.

To see less, or not to see at all, is to find life much harder

In Ethiopia, visual impairment and blindness affect millions of people. These are significant public health issues. The main causes of blindness are cataracts and trachoma (an infectious disease caused by bacteria).

For people with visual impairments, every day is a challenge: limited access to education, expensive specialist equipment, scarce employment opportunities, and inaccessible housing. Many motivated and capable people find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty, not because of a lack of will, but due to a lack of support and resources. 

The sisters aim to provide practical support to three visually impaired people, helping them to regain their independence, overcome poverty and lead independent lives.

Three lives, one shared determination to move forward

Rebuilding his life after losing everything
Getachew, 37, had been an IT technician at a mining company for 14 years. He led a stable life with his wife and young daughter.
Everything changed three years ago: an eye operation following a diagnosis of glaucoma caused him to lose his sight completely. Overnight, he could no longer work. He had to learn to live and get about all over again.
But Getachew refuses to give up. He has learnt Braille and is now back in evening classes with a clear goal: to become a computer science teacher for the blind and visually impaired.
However, he cannot afford to pay his tuition fees, his course materials or his audio recorder. He already struggles to pay his rent, and his wife works as a day labourer. Without help, his journey will come to an end.

A student mum fighting to lift her family out of poverty
Zeyneba, 38, is a mother of four children (aged 18, 15, 11 and 8). Both she and her husband are visually impaired. To make ends meet, they sell lottery tickets on the street.
At the weekend, Zeyneba attends university classes diligently to become a teacher. She is making good progress. But the tuition fees for this course are a huge burden for her. 

Having a roof over her head but at risk of losing it
Yergedu, 33, is single. She had a rare stroke of luck in the lottery for a public housing scheme: she won the chance to become the owner of a studio flat on the ground floor of a small block of flats. She paid an initial deposit of 10% with the help of friends and family. She now has to repay the remaining 90% and the bank interest to become the full owner.
But this reprieve is fragile. 
With no income, she has had to rent out her studio flat: she uses the rent to pay the interest and very little of the monthly repayments, and to rent a substandard flat that is unsuitable for her disability. Her debt is mounting and she risks losing her home for good.
Yergedu is currently taking teaching courses to become an Amharic teacher and will sit her final exam in June to graduate.

The project: Simple yet decisive actions

“We visit these visually impaired people and their families on a regular basis, offering them emotional support and practical advice to help them cope with their daily challenges. However, these three visually impaired people are in urgent need of financial assistance.” Sr Felekech

The project aims to:
- fund Getachew’s studies so that he can become a computer science teacher for the blind; he will regain lasting independence and, in turn, help others
- fund Zeyneba’s training so that she can complete her studies and obtain her teaching qualification; she will be able to work and lift her family out of poverty
- help Yergedu pay off the balance of her debt so that she can keep her flat and live in a safe and dignified environment; she will be able to teach with peace of mind and become financially independent.

The project will have a direct, tangible and measurable impact. 
“Thank you for giving these three visually impaired people the chance to study so they can work, and the chance to live in safety.” Sr Felekech

If the project raises more than its goal, any excess funds received will be allocated to a similar project.