Elderly Sisters in Ethiopia Receive Boost from International Charity Organization

ADDIS ABABA , 16 January, 2021 / 6:00 PM (ACI Africa).- 

A recently established home for elderly members of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady (FMOL) has been equipped with modern facilities for the use by the elderly Sisters of the Religious Order.

In a Monday, January 11 report, officials of the Catholic Charity Organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International share about the donation of hospital-type beds and wheelchairs to the Sisters aged between 78 and 90 on Monday, January 11.

They note that many of the Sisters who had devoted their lives to working in the poorest parts of the Horn of Africa nation were now bed-ridden and needed help moving around.

FMOL members have been offering their services in Ethiopia since 1910.

In the January 11 report, ACN leadership says that today, the Religious Order has 76 Sisters working in various parts of the country in healthcare, education and catechesis.

“Twelve of these religious are now living in the recently established home for elderly members of the community. They are aged between 78 and 90,” ACN officials say in their report.

The Sisters have devoted their entire lives to working as nurses, pharmacists, teachers and catechists. They also work in the formation of the younger Sisters of the community or in the administration of various projects, as leaders and Religious superiors.

“At the same time, though, these elderly religious are themselves in need of care today. Some are seriously ill and bedridden,” the leadership of the Pontifical organization observes.

Sister Margareth who is in charge of the retirement home wrote to the Charity organization, which works in poorest countries and in places where Christianity is faced with challenges.

She wrote, “We are very proud of our elderly sisters, who have served the Lord and his people for so many years with all their hearts and with utter devotion, and who continue to serve the Church in whatever way they can, and above all through their daily prayer.”

In order to be able to improve the care of the senior Sisters, the community had asked ACN for help to provide electrically assisted orthopaedic beds, which can be adjusted at the head and foot with the touch of a button, and also two wheelchairs.

To meet the costs, ACN with the support of its benefactors has donated 4,500 Euros to equip the home for the elderly Religious Sisters with facilities to make their life comfortable in old age.

Reporting the donation, ACN officials say in the January 11 report, “Now, after a life devoted to others, these frail and elderly religious can themselves receive the care they need. Our heartfelt thanks for your help and may God reward all who have contributed!”