When I’m teaching here in my classroom at Bingham using a UK based early years curriculum, life is not that far removed from working at my previous school. It is easy to get so involved in the job at hand that one forgets that there is another life outside the school walls.

I was reminded of that other life this week during Yetesfay Birhan (which I have found out means ‘light of hope’). I have mentioned Mulawork in previous posts as she has been brought up by her elderly grandmother and until recently lived in a one room dwelling with grandma’s sister. However when another relative arrived both Grandma and Mulawork were forced to leave and now live in a make-shift tarpaulin dwelling in the yard.

Mulawork has been cutting grass and selling it outside the church. Cut grass is used to adorn the ground around a coffee ceremony here. With the little money she made from this Mulawork has been buying a piece of injera which she has shared with her Grandmother on a daily basis.

Mulawork arrived at Bingham this week looking tired and care-worn. Gone was the cheerful persona that used to characterize her. She explained through the interpretation provided by a couple of High School student helpers that her Grandma no longer had a pan to cook in - their current one had a hole in it. She also asked for some "segar" (meat) for the Meskel celebration. Apparently Ethiopian tradition dictates that you should have some in the house at this festival. She had no means to achieve this herself for her Grandma.

The following day Mulawork was back again at Bingham needing assistance. The burner they had been using on uneven ground had tipped over and Mulawork now had a nasty burn on her arm. She was taken to a local clinic to have it dressed.

Yetesfay Birhan will help with the immediate needs, but what about the long term? Advice was sought from Ezra. He is employed by Bingham and a helpful liaison between the Ethiopians and foreign staff as he is perfectly bilingual and has an understanding of both cultures. He reckoned that at her age Grandma’s only option would be to beg. Ezra suggested maintaining weekly food provision in the short term. It was also arranged that Grandma should be taken to a government office to register her housing need. Another complication - Mulawork would need time away from school so she could interpret as Grandma only speaks the Oromo language.

Please pray for Mulawork and her Grandma. I have rarely ever seen people in such great need.