Meron Abebe

Meron is a 12-year-old girl who was born on July 8, 1994. She lives with her father and stepmother in Ras Desta Sefer, a community of 19,000 residents located in the capitol of Addis Ababa. Meron works at home carrying water and running errands. Her favorite activity is art. She is in the fourth grade and regularly attends Sunday school.

Ethiopia Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia, located in the continent of Africa. Ethiopia shares boundaries with five other countries. Most of the country is a high plateau capped by mountains. Lowland deserts surround the plateau. Ethiopia's population is diverse, with more than 70 ethnic groups. Eighty percent of the people support themselves through subsistence farming in the central plateau region. Most homes in Meron's community are constructed of wood and corrugated iron. Major religions include Christianity, Islam, and animism. Amharic is the country's official language.

School

The typical school year runs from September through June. Public education is free from the primary to the college level. Less than 50 percent of the children complete their primary education. The literacy rate of the population is 46% male, 25% female. That means Meron has some very difficult odds to beat!

Meron is in the 8th grade. Her grades are average.

Food

The diet of most residents consists of injera, a type of wheat pancake moist and spongy in consistency. Here's a recipe for Misir Wat which is usually served with ingera.

Misir Wat: Wash 2 cups split lentils and boil in 6 cups water for 5 minutes. Cook 2 cups chopped red onions, adding 2 cups oil and stirring gently so onions don't turn brown. Remove lentils from heat, drain and reserve water for later use. Add lentils to onions. Add reserved water, stirring to prevent mixture from sticking to bottom of pan. Add 1 Tbsp. ginger, 1 tsp. garlic, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 4 fresh hot (green) peppers and salt to taste. Simmer for 20 minutes. Serves 6. (Misir Wat is served with ingera, which you can buy from an Ethiopian market or restaurant. Ask for T'ef Ingera.) 

Letters from Meron

Here is our most recent letter from Meron:

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                    July 2007

 

How are you doing? My family and I are doing very well. I am promoted to grade eight now. By your birthday gift, I bought a pair of shoes, a sweater, sports wear, bread, and a picture. Thank you very much! I attached you my picture. My favorite sport is volleyball. I like attending school. Please come and visit me once. Thank you for your letter! Thank you for John 3:16. I like reading my Bible. It is rainy season here now. How about in your area? Till the next letter, goodbye!

 

Meron Abebe

spring 2007

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth

 

How are you? My family and I are fine. My father is sick, please pray for him.

I received your letter. I have good attitudes towards the project. I have received soap, cereal, food, oil, school fees, school materials, and health care. Thank you very much. I am part of the church. The season right now is summer. What is the season in your country? Until the next letter.

 

Bye Bye, Meron Abebe

 

Meron is promoted from grade 6 to grade 7.

November 8, 2006

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth                                                                          

 

How are you dear sponsors? I and my family are fine. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will celebrate the Christmas with my family. I have received the birthday gift and with it I bought two shirts, a pair of shoes and socks, some sports wear and a photo. Thank you. I am promoted to grade seven with satisfactory marks. Now I am studying my lessons hard. I attend Sunday school on Sundays. Pray for me and my family please. The weather of my country is hot. What about yours? Finally, until we meet in the next letter, good bye.

 

Your child – Meron Abebe

May 9, 2006

 

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,   

 

  My beloved sponsors how are you doing these days? I am very fine. The Christmas gift you sent me last time was Birr $112.57. With this money they bought me a pair of shoes for Birr $76.88 and a shirt fir Birr $35.69. My family is very fine. My family is praying for you and please pray for us as well. I am a sixth grade student. I am studying hard to be promoted to the seventh grade. Our project is buying us school materials, ointment, soap and the like. This year the project took us on a picnic to a lovely resort place called Soderie. I am attending My Sunday bible classes. Last time I learned about Moses. I started taking vocational training in knitting. I am serving the Lord by singing in a choir. I love listening to the Words of God. I bid you goodbye until we meet in our next letter.

Meron

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,

How do you do? I am fine thanks to God. I and my family celebrated Christmas very warmly. I would like to thank you for your Christmas gift I received 104.46 birr. I was bought clothes for 90 birr and received 14.46 birr on hand. I am in grade four now. I am studying hard for a better result. I worry for my father because he gets sick. Please pray for him. I received the photograph, stickers and letter you wrote me. Thank you very much. May God bless you. Until next time, good bye.

Meron

Dear friends of Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,

Greetings to you all. How are you? I'm doing fine. I'm happy with every support that you make for me and I'm glad that you also pray for me and my family. I attend well my Sunday school and regular school very well. We are in the hot summer season now. I prefer this season than the rainy season. We will celebrate Christmas at our project on Jan. 7. We attend the special program there and also watch a drama. In our family we bake a big bread for the holiday and the local drink will be prepared.

How is it at your place? Write me all about it very soon.

I wish you a blessed and a merry Christmas holiday.

Meron

My Sponsors,

How are you doing? I and my family are doing well. I am promoted to grade 4. School is out now and we are in the rainy season. We will start school after two months. In September I am provided with clothings, hygienic materials, food grains, medical treatment and school supplies. Last week I went for picnic with my friends. I am so much glad because it is my first time trip out of my town. In Sunday School I studied about Moses. I look forward to your letter. May God bless you.

yours, Meron

The letters are written in her language and are translated by Compassion workers. The English translation is a little choppy, but we have not changed any words so you can see exactly what we read when we get her letters.

E-mail Meron

NEW! Now an easier way to send your letters. If you'd like to write Meron, you can email your letter to us and we'll send it to Compassion International.

Salam is a favorite greeting in Ethiopia which means 'Peace!'

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