On our recent trip to Ethiopia we made a return visit to see Melat Zewudu and Mahder Yirrga. Melat is now 16 years of age and Mahder is 12. They are cousins and have been supported by LUCIA for the past three and a half years. Both are classed as Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC); they live with their grandmother Thehaynesh, who has no idea of her age. She guesses she is somewhere between 60 and 70 years.

The girls both lost their fathers some years ago and their mothers left them with their granny while they sought work in one of the Arab countries. The girls have no idea which country their mothers went to. They do know that Melat’s mother died years ago but they have no information regarding Mahder’s mother.

The living conditions for the girls is very poor, as their home is very small (16’ x 12’ approx) and has to accommodate five adults and the two girls. They have no windows, running water or toilet facilities.

The LUCIA team was welcomed into their home and the hospitality was generous, as always in Ethiopia. We tried to give Thehaynesh money to help with the payment of the coffee and bread we had been offered, as we all knew the enormous cost it would be to the family. Thehaynesh said she was so very grateful for all the help LUCIA gave to her two grandchildren and that it was a pleasure to meet with us. The LUCIA team explained to Thehaynesh that in Britain when we are invited to each others house for a meal it is our custom to take a present and as we had not got a present for this occasion could we please contribute to the cost. Thehaynesh accepted this reluctantly.

With the support of LUCIA the girls receive funding for three meals per day, education, school uniforms, books, pensand pencils, sanitary materials, clothing and rent. Melat is now attending college and her wish is to become a teacher, while Mahder is in the 8th grade and is also working hard at school. After meeting with the girls on previous visits, it was lovely to see how they had grown and to hear the hope they have for the future. Their ready smile and friendly warmth only reinforced the reason we work for LUCIA.