Young Catholic Teacher in Ethiopia Becomes First African to Lead Young Christian Workers Globally

Young Catholic Teacher in Ethiopia Becomes First African to Lead Young Christian Workers Globally

Young Catholic Teacher in Ethiopia Becomes First African to Lead Young Christian Workers Globally

CANAA || By Makeda Yohannes, Ethiopia || 08 September 2016

ethiopian teacher global leader of ycwA young Catholic teacher from Ethiopia has become the first African to lead the International Coordination of Young Christian Workers (ICYCW) after being elected at the recently concluded congress in Seoul, South Korea.

Berhanu Sinamo, who also serves as the deputy chairman of the national Young Christian Workers (YCW) of Ethiopia was elected during the 9th ICYCW Congress, which took place in South Korea from August 19 – September 1, 2016.

Berhanu, 29, said that he is honored that the members of ICYCW entrusted him with the important task of serving young Christian workers in different parts of the world.

He called on all young Christian workers to answer to God’s call by being faithful to their work saying, “As Christians one of the ways Young people can contribute to spreading the Good News is by dedicating themselves in the work they are involved in and honestly serve the people, this by itself is testimony of the Gospel. In the meantime when we are committed to our work we can witness God’s Love as he will fill us with His Grace that will make us successful.”

He also said that YCW in Ethiopia is involved in the ongoing preparation of the 19th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) to be held in Addis Ababa in 2018.

“Young Catholics can contribute a lot to the evangelizing mission of Our Church in Ethiopia,” Berhanu went on to say and added, “YCW hopes to mobilize as many youth as possible throughout the country to pray for the Canonization of Bl. Gebremichael, the first Ethiopian Catholic Martyr.”

He also expresses his hope to represent well Ethiopia and Africa in particular and all the people who entrusted him with the task by voting for him by fulfilling the task successfully.

“I would like to ask all young Christian workers to pray for me so that God may bless me with the wisdom to handle all my responsibilities as per His will and to the best interest of all members,” he implored.

ethiopian teacher global leader of ycw bMeanwhile, the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission (Caritas Ethiopia) is partnering with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to provide a conducive environment for education to South Sudanese Refugees in Gambella.

Two schools have so far been constructed in Jewi Refugee camp, Gambella regional State.

The schools constructed in two sites include a total of 22 fully furnished class rooms, libraries equipped with all the necessary furniture and books, latrines and water points and offices.

The classrooms can accommodate 60 students each making the total beneficiaries 2640 refugee students.

In addition, trainings on child protection and child hygiene and sanitation is provided to teachers who will be working with the students.

The Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) will be taking over and running the school and follow up on the day to day activities of the school.

Speaking on behalf of Caritas Ethiopia at the inauguration ceremony of the schools, Father Aristide SDB said that education is at the root of solving problems and creating a base for a better future.

“Providing friendly environment gives hope to displaced people and this is what the Church is doing; with education we can produce many reasonable young people with a perspective prosperous future” he said.

At the same occasion, UNHCR Program officer for education, Mrs Nora Ochieng, appreciated the Church’s effort to provide equal opportunity to children saying, “As a Christian community you are testifying that all children are equal before the eyes of God and deserve to learn in a comfortable environment.”

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