WE‘RE ALL NEEDED – MORE THAN EVER
ETHIOPIA has been at war since November 2020. Long-standing ethnic tensions between ethnic groups and political tensions between the former ruling party and the current government have led to a violent armed conflict in Ethiopia’s North. The increasing numbers of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) seeking refuge as well as food supply shortages in the northern regions have led to precarious living conditions. As the conflict continues to spread across the country, already affecting large parts of the Amhara Region and Afar Region, the numbers of IDPs seems to keep rising. In the Tigray region alone, over 900,000 people currently remain without access to food, basic health care, or clean water. With the lack of rain during the current dry season, the inability to cultivate land, and the threat of locust swarms, the situation is expected to worsen the coming months.
As a means of emergency response, Global Outreach has formed a partnership with Operation Rescue and MINCH Household Water Filters.
Operation Rescue. Through more than 20 years of work and a multitude of successfully implemented projects in three bigger towns in Ethiopia’s north (primarily Mekelle, Aksum and Adigrat), Operation Rescue has gained the trust of the government and people. Specializing in childcare, Operation Rescue has established three day-care centers that have become places of recreation, education, and growth for over 700 children. The program aims to keep the children away from the streets and helping them discover their purpose in life. Orphans are assigned to extended families where they are well taken care of. As the children grow up, they receive education and vocational training and are coached to find their way into independent living. In addition to the benefits to children and youth, Operation Rescue provides services valuable support to their families through counseling.
As the numbers of IDPs increases, schools, orphanages, and public centers in the north are being re-purposed as refugee shelters. While Operation Rescue can keep operating their day-care centers, they have adopted the additional tasks of providing food and emergency aid to victims of the conflict. During the past year, even governmental institutions have leaned on Operation Rescue’s support to reach the ones in need.
Reports from Operation Rescue’s team have pointed out the lack of safe water in the region. The extensive use of already poorly maintained water infrastructure in urban centers has caused the water quality to deteriorate, and water-borne diseases are an imminent threat to hundreds of thousands of people. As medical services are increasingly limited, access to safe water becomes a matter of life and death.
MINCH Household Water Filter. We are confident that MINCH Filters are a great solution to provide protection from water-borne diseases. The household water filter is developed and manufactured by an Ethiopian company. The MINCH filter earned international certification from the WHO for its capacity to remove over 99.9% of harmful bacteria and protozoa. Tests have also proven the removal of over 99% of viruses from contaminated water. Since MINCH features a durable aluminum body, strong stainless-steel tap, and a filter cartridge with a lifespan of over 2 years, it offers a long-lasting point-of-use solution to IDPs. With very low maintenance requirements and a recyclable container, we are confident that MINCH filters meet our hope for sustainability. We also appreciate MINCH’s commitment to create job opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Currently, they are running a paid internship program and employ a primarily deaf workforce for the filter production.
WITH OUR COLLABORATION WE AIM AT PROVIDING SAFE WATER TO ABOUT 5000 IDPS IN ETHIOPIA.
Upon arrival of the MINCH filters in the northern regions, Operation Rescue’s local team will deliver the devices to people in most urgent need for safe water. Beneficiaries will be trained in use and maintenance of the filters. Regular visits by Operation Rescue’s team will ensure sustainability of the initiative.
DONATE A MINCH WATER FILTER TO A FAMILY
With 150 USD we will be able to purchase a filter in Addis Ababa, deliver it to Operation Rescue’s distribution centers, distribute it to families, and train them on its correct use and proper hygiene. We aim to distribute 500 filters to a variety of shelters where IDPs are taking refuge. With enough contributions by the end of this year, we will be able to reach this goal by February 2022.
FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT, WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE AND LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING A PROGRESS REPORT WITH YOU!
THANK YOU, FAMILY HARISSON!
Steadman Harisson and his family have been serving in mission for almost two decades, many years of which in Ethiopia. Through Steadman's valuable network, he established the connection between the three partner organizations. As part of the team, he will keep supporting and inspiring the initiative's implementation.
We are grateful to the Family Harrison for offering their profile page to raise funds for safe water in Ethiopia! Thank you!
Steadman and Alyssa began their missionary journey with Global Outreach International in 2005 with short term mission trips to Good Shepherd’s Fold Children and Babies Home just outside Jinja, Uganda. The Gospel partnership that began in Uganda expanded to include countries around the world with a special love for Ethiopia and Jordan. In 2009 the Harrisons completed Missionary Orientation Training in Tupelo and in 2010 they moved from Greensboro, North Carolina to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Steadman Harrison, MA/MTS, works in the marketplace. As the co-founder of the Leadership Beyond Boundaries movement, he established a pathway to democratize leader development bringing affordable, accessible, and scalable development solutions to more than 500,000 people. This marketplace work became known as Business as Mission (BAM) or Business for Transformation (B4T). Relational evangelism is at the heart of every interaction. Steadman is known as both a preacher and teacher of the Bible and a faith-friendly, bridge-builder, facilitator, and networker to friends around the world.
The Harrisons relocated to Tupelo, Mississippi in 2015 where Steadman served as the Chief Executive Officer and Mission Director for Global Outreach International for 4 years. God blessed this season of work and by His grace Global Outreach accomplished their 2020 Vision and Goals. We celebrate 50+ years of catalyzing mission development in more than 50 countries! Steadman now serves as President and Co-Founder of the Nashville based 501c3, Lead Beyond Inc. (www.leadbeyond.org).
After a beautiful sabbatical rest spent with friends in Jordan, the Harrisons returned to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July of 2019. Alyssa Harrison, M. Ed, is passionate about resilience and about using words creatively. Twenty years of teaching English and Creative writing in secondary schools have deepened these convictions. She returned to Ethiopia where she has served as both teacher and Secondary Principal at Bingham Academy, an international school serving students from more than 40 countries. Alyssa is also a gifted Executive Coach and classroom facilitator. She is completed her coaching certification and became the second coach in the country of Ethiopia with International Coaching Federation credentials. She will use this skill both at Bingham and out into the marketplace through Lead Beyond on the horizon.
Ethan Harrison enters his final season at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he serves with CRU and Chapel Hill Bible Church. Liam and Meredith Harrison live in Asheville, North Carolina. Miles (now Steadman IV) commissioned from the USNA Class of 2022 and serves on the USS Helena, a nuclear attack submarine. Steadman IV and Abby Harrison live in Bremerton, WA with our grandsons, Caleb and Kolbe.
Ministry Focus and Highlights:
- Work with schools: Support for Bingham Academy in Ethiopia.
- Church planting: Covenant Fellowship Addis continues to grow. Partnerships with Chapel Hill Bible Church, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian mission, World Witness, and City to City Churches provided the foundation for a reformed, covenant, presbyterian church plant. Steadman serves as the teaching elder.
- Leadership development: Growing the work of Lead Beyond Inc a distinct focus on catalyzing the maturity of grassroots leaders towards wisdom. Lead Beyond works from the USA for Ethiopia, India, and the Middle East leveraging a large International Humanitarian Nongovernment Organization (HINGO) network as a channel toward impacting and empowering the lives of youth using leadership development as a lever for unlocking human potential.
- Education, Emergency Medical, and Orphan Vulnerable Care: Our work includes meeting the needs of our neighbors and assisting the churches of Ethiopia as needed.
Prayer Requests:
- Our eldest son as he continues his service as an officer in the US Navy serving the Submarine Corps. Pray for the marriage of Abby and Steadman IV and their great and growing work as parents to our grandsons. Pray for us as we are grieving the distance at the same time.
- Pray for the marriage and ministry of our middle son, Liam alongside of Meredith as they juggle multiple roles in Asheville and at Montreat. May the Lord give them the daily energy and strength they need as they lean into life and service.
- Pray for our youngest son, Ethan, as he continues ministry with CRU and Chapel Hill Bible Church. Pray for his friendships, service, and academic pursuits – may he bring God great glory in the season to come.
- Pray for our church plant, Covenant Fellowship, in Ethiopia and the role that the Lord would have us play in serving His Kingdom here in Addis Ababa. Pray especially for Steadman as he serves as our primary teacher of God’s Word. Pray for additional teaching capacity and worship leadership in the coming year.
- Pray for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing civil unrest, hunger, and need in Ethiopia.
- Pray for the leadership team and teachers annually needed at Bingham Academy.
- Pray for ministries and businesses of our friends and family in Jordan and Uganda.
- Ask the Lord to grow the work of Lead Beyond and Global Outreach International globally.
Funds raised:
Make a donation »| Name | Amount | Date | Comment |
| Private | $123.60 | Nov 23rd, 2021 | |
| DWIGHT THOMAS | $154.50 | Nov 23rd, 2021 | |
| Private | $154.50 | Nov 26th, 2021 | For the Safe Water for Families in Ethiopia Campaign |
| Private | $20.60 | Nov 26th, 2021 | |
| Aubrey Fite | $1,500.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | God bless the families that these filters go to and the families of those who are making it possible for them to receive |
| Private | $50.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | |
| Werner Hassig | $1,030.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | God bless you all! |
| Claire Thompson | $309.00 | Nov 30th, 2021 | |
| Elizabeth Hargett | $257.50 | Dec 9th, 2021 | |
| Gary Threatt | $150.00 | Dec 10th, 2021 | For Minch water filters |
| Private | $123.60 | Dec 12th, 2021 | |
| David Bastian | $5,000.00 | Dec 31st, 2021 | |
| Private | $515.00 | Jan 2nd, 2022 | Thanks for your good work and thanks to Nate and Amy Kidder for sharing your mission with us. |
| Private | $1,030.00 | Feb 1st, 2022 | Thank you, and God bless you all…!!! |
| William Sergent | $500.00 | Feb 27th, 2022 |
Share this campaign:
