Healing the Hurting
Aster carried her young daughter, Sara, in her arms and ran as fast as she could. Her village was being bombed and she feared they would die. The war in Ethiopia’s northernmost region of Tigray had finally reached her community.
They fled into the wilderness and struggled for several months to survive. “It is painful to remember how challenging life was at that time. There was no food or water,” Aster said. “My child was in critical condition. I was begging for food to save our lives.”
In desperation, she returned with her daughter to their war-torn village. The bombings had finally ceased—but hardly anyone or anything remained. “There wasn’t even a piece of clothing left in my house,” she said.
Even so, Aster trusted that the Lord had not abandoned them. “Thanks to God, we are alive. What helps us live is His mighty power.”
At the height of the conflict, more than 3 million people like Aster and Sara were displaced. Since the war began, Samaritan’s Purse has been working in Tigray to provide emergency medical care, food, clean water, and shelter.
Bring Clean Water to a Community - £40
Provide Life-Saving Medical Care - £80
Although the war is now over, the fight to survive continues. Hundreds of thousands of displaced people still live in shelters, children are malnourished, and job opportunities remain scarce.
HOPE FOR TIGRAY
In response to ongoing needs, Samaritan’s Purse began a programme called Tesfa for Tigray that is hosted at local churches and provides safe spaces for children to play, receive hot meals, and talk with a counsellour who can help them heal from the wounds of war.
"Tesfa" is the Tigrayan word for hope. Tesfa for Tigray is overseen by local Christian women hired by Samaritan’s Purse as caregivers. Aster was thrilled to join the project as a caregiver. Her years of experience as a school teacher are serving her well as she mentors boys and girls.
She said that our project is an answer to prayer, as she had desperately been searching for a job for a long time. Now, she is able to earn an income and provide for her daughter. “To find a job with Samaritan’s Purse—it is only because of God,” she said.
Aster’s daily routine includes leading the children in games, crafts, and educational activities. “They have experienced horrific things. They were sleeping on the street and begging, some even stealing, just to eat,” she said. “Now, what we are providing is bringing them from death to life.”
Aster prays that the children will experience God’s love for them through Tesfa for Tigray. “Working here is more than happiness for me. This is God’s will for my life,” she said.
Tesfa for Tigray has already made a significant impression on Aster’s daughter who enjoys participating in the programme. Although only 9 years old, she has plans for when she grows up. “My dream is to open a programme like this one and to support kids in need,” she said.
A NEW BEGINNING
Women in Tigray are also experiencing hope for a brighter future through our Biblically based trauma healing programme and livelihood efforts. Samrawit and her three children were on the verge of starvation when they met the Samaritan’s Purse team. Samrawit shared with our staff that her husband was killed during the war. The clothing business they ran together was her only means of income and it had been destroyed.
Our staff provided Samrawit with food for her family and milk for her youngest daughter because she was too undernourished to even nurse. “No words can explain how much I appreciate them taking care of me,” she said.
We are also caring for her and many other women by offering opportunities to grieve and process the horrors they experienced during war. Our trauma recovery team is encouraging Samrawit to continue trusting God and reminding her that He has not abandoned her.
“I’m still mentally stressed by the experience of war, but I’m also able to feel happiness return,” she said. “I didn’t imagine I would be in such a state again.”
Samrawit received training and a cash stipend to start a small enterprise. With her previous business experience she was able to quickly get up and running. She purchased product and began selling various clothing items, shoes, and other basic necessities at a local market.
“After I met Samaritan’s Purse— thanks to God—I am generating an income and my kids are still alive. They’re not hungry anymore.”
She said that her gratitude for our help during a difficult time has turned to compassion and a desire to help others from what God is providing through her new business venture.
“I will not keep it for myself. I will give to someone else in need.”
Will you join us in lifting up the following prayer requests?
For Aster to shine the light of Jesus Christ as she cares for children in the Tesfa for Tigray programme.
That women like Samrawit will continue to heal emotionally and thrive in their new business opportunities.
That the work of Samaritan’s Purse in Tigray will glorify God and that many people will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
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