Project Mercy Inc

THE VISION OF PROJECT MERCY IS TO "RENEW THE HEART OF A NATION BY FREEING PEOPLE FROM PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL POVERTY". THE MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM HOW PEOPLE LIVE AND THINK AND BUILD STRONG, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITIES IN ETHIOPIA AND BEYOND THROUGH NEW KNOWLEDGE, BETTER HEALTH, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOURCES AND STRENGTHENED CHARACTER FOR ALL PEOPLE AS A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY WAS STARTED IN 1977 TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES. AT ITS PEAK, THE MINISTRY GREW TO REACH SEVEN COUNTRIES IN AFRICA WITH ITS FOCUS ON ASSISTING DISPLACED REFUGEES IN DJIBOUTI, GUINEA, IVORY COAST, KENYA, LIBERIA, MALAWI, AND SUDAN. IN 1993 THE ORGANIZATION SHIFTED ITS FOCUS TO CREATING A RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT MODEL THAT CAN BE USED BY OTHERS TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF FAMINE AND POVERTY IN COMMUNITIES. PROJECT MERCY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING LONG-TERM, MULTI-GENERATIONAL IMPACT. AS SUCH, OUR DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS, DEVELOP

HEALTHCARE PROJECT MERCY BUILT AND RUNS THE GLENN C. OLSEN MEMORIAL PRIMARY HOSPITAL. THIS 52-BED FACILITY IS EQUIPPED WITH DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS WARDS FOR SURGICAL, PEDIATRIC, DELIVERY, AND MEDICAL SERVICES. COUPLED WITH A CLINIC IN THE SCHOOL (THE ONLY CLINIC OF ITS KIND IN RURAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN ETHIOPIA), PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES END-TO-END PREVENTATIVE AND PROACTIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. A NEAR-BY "LIE-IN-WAIT HOUSE" SERVES EXPECTANT MOTHERS DIAGNOSED WITH COMPLICATED PREGNANCIES. MIDWIVES FROM THE HOSPITAL PROVIDE REGULAR CHECK-UPS AND QUICK ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES TO THE EXPECTANT MOTHERS. THE NEWLY IMPLEMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION (CHE) PROGRAM ENABLES PROJECT MERCY AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ALL THE INVESTMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN HEALTHCARE TO DATE AND BUILD ON IT TO STRENGTHEN THE PREVENTATIVE PRACTICES OF THE PEOPLE TO STOP COMMON AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES BEFORE THEY START.

EDUCATION EDUCATION IS A CORE COMPONENT OF OUR MODEL INTEGRATED INTO ALL OUR HOLISTIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE MEET BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL NEEDS TO THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WE SERVE (WITH NEARLY 1,700 STUDENTS IN GRADES K- 12) AND RUN A HEALTH SCIENCE COLLEGE TO TRAIN MIDWIFERY NURSES. ALSO, OUR SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION HAS REACHED FIVE OTHER SCHOOLS IN THREE REGIONS. VOCATION & SKILL PROJECT MERCY TRAINS THE MEN & WOMEN IN VIABLE TRADES THAT CAN HELP THEM EARN A FAIR INCOME AND INTRODUCES THE ARTISAN CULTURE THROUGH SKILLS TRAINING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VIABLE ASSOCIATION SO THEIR CRAFTS CAN BE MARKETED.

FOOD SECURITY THE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS HELP BY ENCOURAGING AND TEACHING FAMILIES TO CULTIVATE AND CONSUME VEGETABLES AND FRUIT TREE PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PROJECT MERCY HAS INSTITUTED DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING AND POULTRY FARMING PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE RURAL FAMILIES TO PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY AND A HIGHER QUANTITY OF MILK AND EGGS. THESE FOOD SECURITY MEASURES ARE PROVIDING SUSTENANCE AND A MEANS OF INCOME. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROYAL JERSEY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (RJAHS) EDUCATES BENEFICIARIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE JERSEY BREED, EXPANDS ACCESS TO BREEDERS AND BREEDING BULLS TO SERVE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN CHACHA AND FOURTEEN SURROUNDING KEBELES (TOWNSHIPS), AND SUPPORTS PROJECT MERCY TO STRENGTHEN ITS BREEDING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THE ABILITY TO REACH CRITICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES SAFELY AND QUICKLY, USE SAFE ROADS, BRIDGES, CLEAN WATER, AND OTHER FACILITIES.