MSC Mission in Sadama, Ethiopia, celebrates first anniversary

The MSC community in Sadama is celebrating the first anniversary of the mission. Sadama is the newest mission in the Holy Spirit Region, it was opened on November 18th, 2023.

Sr. Amarech (left), and Sr. Aynalem (right) in front of the MSC house in Sadama

In this year, the community has settled in the area, collaborating with the nearby parish, knowing the people and assessing the needs of the local communities.

Sr. Amarech, Sr. Aynalem, and Sr. Shitaye have been conducting pastoral work, visiting families and poor households, bringing the holy communion to the elders, and working with various groups. They have also been visiting marginalized and discriminated communities to learn about their culture.

Family visit around Sadama

The sisters have started supporting the parish preschool, helping to make it more inclusive of marginalized people. They gave the opportunity to access education to those who are left out and discriminated because of their cultural norms.  Children who used not to be accepted by school mates and teachers because of their social status, received shower, food, clothes, and uniforms, and are now treated with love and respect.

Class at parish preschool in Sadama

Many other needs were identified in the community, such as the lack of a place for children to have their meals while in school, the limited availability of classrooms, which make class overcrowded and limit the quality of teaching, and the scarcity of water.

Well at Sadama parish coumpound

This year has been a great learning experience, an opportunity to know and enter the communities, and set the foundations for the future work of the mission.

The celebration will open with a mass at St. Anna Parish, officiated by the bishop, and at the presence of the MSC sisters from Dubbo and Wallacha. After the mass, the sisters will share with children and staff at the nearby school about Mother Cabrini.