Dire Dawa

Recently, Ethiopiaid has extended funding to Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Dire Dawa, a city in eastern Ethiopia. The region it serves is far from Addis Ababa and the nuns here face quite different challenges. There are over 1000 people at the Mission at any one time, with a multitude of complex problems.

The men's compound has a large number of mentally ill patients. One of the Sisters believes the high incidence of mental illness in the region is associated with the constant chewing of vast quantities of chat, a leafy plant which acts as a stimulant. Those who use chat can become agitated, aggressive and their psychotic state can worsen. When the effects have worn off, they feel worn out, depressed and can even feel suicidal.

There are many others at the Mission who are weakened by famine after their crops have failed. Outside the compound's gates, mothers wait with their starving children to be admitted. Many people being cared for at the Mission suffer from TB or HIV too . On the last visit to Ethiopia, the UK Manager was introduced to a young woman who had given birth to premature twins the day before. A little girl pointed at the babies and said three letters, HIV.

There is still much work to be done in Dire Dawa.

Some of Ethiopia's many orphans