Discovering CHRISTian in Ethiopia: Adoption Day at the Salesian Compound

Children arriving to the compound.

In Ethiopia, the Easter celebration started this past weekend with Palm Sunday since the country follows the Eastern Orthodox calendar. For numerous children in Dilla, however, Easter is also a time in which they receive donations from their foreign sponsors. Over three hundred children from poor families have been “adopted” by foreign sponsors who give annual contributions of between 50 to 100 euros.

One of many happy faces that day.

The adoption process and distribution of contributions are organized by the Salesian Sisters, who select children from poor families, irrespective of religion. Some of these children are adopted as early as 2-3 years old and can continue to be sponsored up to and through high school or college, depending on the financial capabilities of the child or family.

Brother and sister in queue.

Three times a year the children gather in the Sisters compound to receive their contributions, which take place on Easter, during the Ethiopian New Year in September and once again during Christmas. Typically in September, which is the start of the school year, the Sisters will use the funds to buy school supplies and pay for the child’s school fees. During Christmas, the contributions can come in the form of clothing, money or food.

The children waiting to receive the contributions.

This past weekend, the funds were used to purchase flour and laundry soap (each child received 10 kilos of flour and four bars of soap). These are essential items for their families to have, especially the flour that is used to bake the fasting bread (dafu dabo) that they eat during Easter time.

Children lined up to receive their 10 kilos of flour.

Some families have as many as two or three children enrolled in the adoption program since they rely on these contributions to support their children. Even one of our teachers, who was an orphan, had financial support from her foreign sponsor up until her graduation from college last year.

This is just one of many ways in which the Salesian Sisters have been helping the local people in Dilla, which they have been doing for 30 years – it’s amazing work!