OF THE 71MES
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Ed Rolita of the Adventist hospital in Dessie helped distribute thousands of pounds of food to hungry Ethiopians. FOR A FAMNE
Orval R. Scully
Orval Scully spent three months in Ethiopia helping to provide food for victims of the famine there. We print here a summary of his most interesting report.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia come in from the surrounding areas and the weakened condition of the February 1, 1974 in search of food. Five or 10 died farmers. each day during the worst weeks of One week ago today, Friday February 14, 1974. the famine. morning, January 25, I arrived in It is the nomads who follow their Addis Ababa via Ethiopian Airlines. Thursday morning we flew to grazing cattle who have been most Since then I have spent every avail- the airport of Kembolcha where Ed seriously hurt by the drought. An able moment learning about the fa- Rolita, the administrator of the Ad- article in The Ethiopian Herald for mine, what has been done, and ventist hospital in Dessie, was wait- February 2 states that 500,000 no- what needs to be done. ing for us. We visited the large mads in the provinces of Harrarge, I have had several conferences government feeding camp just out- Bale, Sidamo, and Gema Gofa are with Adventist church leaders here side the town. During the crisis affected. Plans were laid for me to —Hugo Palm, president for Ethio- over 7,000 had been accommo- fly into this region, since very little pia, and L. G. Diamond, treasurer dated in this camp, but the roll was relief work is being done there. and official representative of Sev- now down to around 1,500. Dr. A very difficult problem faces re- enth-day Adventist Welfare Ser- Lilli Rolita and her husband had lief operations in Ethiopia. There vices ( SAWS ). They have told me cared for as many as 70 children at seems to be sufficient grain and that the church has already dis- a time. Every four hours a gruel of food, but there is practically no tributed several bales of clothing grains, vegetables, and milk from transportation. Trucks are scarce, in Makele and some food grains UNICEF was given to these chil- and roads are bad. Distances are which were parceled out in 30 kg. dren. They responded quickly, and great and mountainous. The Police ( 66 lb.) bags. The government au- after three or four days 10 of the re- Department has promised to fur- thorities cooperated with us by fur- covered would be replaced by 10 nish trucks to transport our grain to nishing trucks to transport the bags needing nourishment. Only one the famine areas. We have pur- to the outlying districts where the child had up to that time failed to chased 200 tons of grain and are suffering was most severe. respond. awaiting the trucks to take it to the Dr. T. H. Scoggins, administrator Ed Rolita believes we can con- hungry people. of our large hospital in Addis tribute to a long-range program by The vice-governor of Bale gave Ababa, is a member of the execu- teaching the farmers to grow vege- us the following statistics furnished tive committee of the Christian Re- table gardens. The very fertile soil by the chieftains and district gover- lief Committee ( CRC ). He has needs only water, and by conserv- nors of his province: Last year, been telling me about the relief ing moisture, he feels, the vegeta- 1973, it was reported that in El work that other groups and bles would be easy to grow. Kere Awaraja 1,477 nomads died as churches have been doing. This is the dry season in Ethio- a result of the famine; 5,002 camels, On Wednesday morning Les An- pia, and the "short" rains are ex- 25,477 sheep and goats, 27,626 cat- derson, youth leader and mission pected soon. However, the "long" tle, and 20 donkeys or mules died. pilot, took me in the mission plane rains do not come until June or The large number of animals which to get a quick overall view. The July. Only then can we know if have perished means that the peo- plane is a Cessna 185 recently do- there will be a harvest. Much suf- ple who depend on them for their nated in part by J. L. Tucker and fering is expected through April sustenance are faced with very bleak the Quiet Hour Program. We spent and May of this year. It was due to prospects for the near future. the afternoon visiting the govern- a lack of rain during the past two or While waiting at the airstrip of ment feeding camp in Makele and three years that the famine became Negele Borana, Sidamo, for the talking with the vice-mayor. Dur- acute in 1973. The "long" rains governor's Land Rover to take us ing the crisis this camp cared for came last year, but the harvest was into town, we talked with some of more than 2,000 persons who had small because of the lack of seed the people who live around the
SIGNS OF THE TIMES - SEPTEMBER 1974 - 3 "I have nothing to feed my children," the father explained. "I would rather give them away than watch them die." army installation there. Many fam- dis Ababa before dark. Gebre Mi- rest, but we think they will be ilies are in dire need of food. chael and five students began to lay available again this week. The gaso- In order to get food quickly to plans for getting the grain to the line consumed cost us $400. these needy people we have re- most needy people. One of our members who is a quested the police to send two There are six tribes living in the lumber merchant walked three days trucks to the Adventist college at area around Negele Borana, and from Goba Bale into the village of Kuyera, where our grain is stored. each is represented by a chief. Meso where the Philadelphia Swe- They will be loaded, and at least These were fequested to contact dish Lutherans have a mission. He two volunteer college students will those who were in greatest need speaks Swedish and was happily re- accompany them to Negele Borana. among their people and ask them to ceived by the two girls who run There we will ask the tribal chiefs come in with a- container or skin in the mission. While he was there, to identify those who are in need of which to receive grain. an Ethiopian who lived nearby food and request them to come and The list was made up by a com- came and wanted to give him some receive from our supply. The Nor- mittee composed of the tribal chief, of his children. "I have nine chil- wegian Mission has offered their a government representative, two dren and nothing to feed them," he storage facilities if needed. elderly men who knew the families explained. "I would rather give Our organizational plans are mak- well, and a SAWS representative them away than watch them die." ing good progress. Gebre Michael who acted as secretary. Each adult The "short" ( or early) rains are Felema, a very capable and ener- was to be given two, kilograms ( 4.4 falling. Now is the time for plant- getic man, has been appointed by pounds) and each child under 12 ing. We thank God that these rains the Adventists to lead out in a long- allowed one kilogram of grain. are coming in a rather normal pat- range program. Plans have been Those over 12 were considered tern. Now we pray for the later discussed for locating small orphan- adults. There were an average of rains in a renewed sense, hoping ages or child-care units near the six to eight in each family group. A that many lives will be spared schools and mission compounds to card was given to each family with thereby. care for the many homeless chil- a number on it which corresponded dren. to his number on the list. It is March 19, 1974 hoped that this group can be given Some have asked about airlifting March 4, 1974. their ration of grain each week for food, and this may become neces- At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb- about ten weeks or until the rains sary into some regions. Our little ruary 21, we were finally able to come. Cessna doesn't carry much food. make telephone contact with our They kept asking, "When do we Sometimes we try to take along a college at Kuyera. We learned that come back for the grain?" It was bit for the passengers, but its maxi- the two police trucks had loaded hard for them to realize that the mum payload is 800 pounds—about and left around 2:00 p.m. the day grain was actually there and all three sacks of grain. before. Calculating that it would they had to do was go through line There is no doubt that transpor- take them about a day to drive to and receive it. But as those who tation is the greatest problem we Negele Borana, we decided to leave received grain began to emerge are facing. The vice-governor of Addis Ababa at 12:00 by plane. Ac- from the warehouse, their faces Bale province has come before our companying us were Toby Gooch beaming, the others began to rea- committee twice to request our as- of Oxfam, who wanted to visit the lize that at long last they were go- sistance. The Department of Fa- affected areas of the south, and ing to have something more to eat. mine Relief has given him 30,000 Representative to Parliament Ato Of the 170,000 affected by the sacks of grain, and he would like us Debissa Arerro, who had first re- drought in the Negele Borana area, to help him distribute it. At first the quested us to send help to his peo- we recognized that only about 10,- governor planned to pay for haul- ple. 000 could be helped by SAWS. Some ing all the grain to these two cen- By the time we reached Negele walked for six hours to get their ters, and we would distribute it Borana the trucks had arrived. Ge- grain. On Friday, March 1, a tele- from there. He has three Mercedes bre Michael had accompanied the phone conversation with the team five-ton trucks which are nearly trucks, and together we visited the informed us that the grain was ex- new but are idle because he has governor again. He was very glad hausted and that a total of 1,477 not sufficient funds in his provincial to see us and offered the use of a families representing 11,380 per- budget to pay for new tires and large warehouse nearby for distrib- sons had received allotments. Un- some small repairs. We agreed to uting the grain. It was necessary fortunately, the police trucks could purchase 18 tires, pay for the minor for those of us who came by plane not be sent back with more grain repairs, and buy the fuel. He would to return soon in order to reach Ad- last week because of political un- furnish the drivers for the three
4— SIGNS OF THE TIMES - SEPTEMBER 1974 Waiting hungrily— hoping— and hope fulfilled.
clothes and bedding and helped them become a part of the school family. We found our SAWS team ready to go. S. F. Petersen, the business manager, lent us his VW bus, and we loaded the four boys and their trucks and place them at our dis- camping equipment and started for posal, and our teams would distrib- Goba, the capital of Bale Province. ute the food according to our It was 9:30 p.m. when we arrived, method. Then came the problem. but the governor received us in his The government sought bids for home even at that late hour. The hauling the grain to Ginir and El heavy rains had made most of the Kere. One bidder asked $20 per roads impassable, but he thought sack, then decided he could not we could get as far as Goro, where send his trucks into El Kere. We supply the much-needed food. trucks had left some grain. He had have now purchased the tires for a Meanwhile, the undernourished sent notices to the surrounding vil- total of $4,600 and paid the garage will feel the cold that comes with lages. We had arrived just in time bill for starter repair dated Decem- the rains, and no doubt death will to help in the distribution. He asked ber 23, 1973, and which came to a increase. the police to furnish a Land Rover little over $500. We have bought It is natural for parents to give to take him, and next morning we 50 drums of diesel fuel, and our Ad- the last of their food to their chil- started on ahead with our VW. ventist lumber merchant has loaded dren so that they can survive. This It was only 75 kilometers to Goro; the tires and drums on one of his means that there are many children but after hours, pushing the vehicle trucks and will deliver them to being left homeless and orphans as through mud eight times, we came Goba Bale for us without charge. a result of the famine. We are ex- to a swollen river which proved too Our team has returned from Negele pecting many requests to come in deep for our confidence. We turned Borana, and some will go with the for child care. around and started back and met grain and organize the distribution the governor in the Land Rover. He in harmony with the method used April 5, 1974 took the boys and their gear aboard in Sidamo Province. Last Friday I This will be my last report from and went on into Goro. We re- placed a request with the CRC Ethiopia. It hardly seems possible turned to Goba. executive committee for $15,000 to that my three months are about up. I could tell you much more. Ed help with the transportation of There is much to do, and I am glad Rolita is very enthusiastic about his grain to Bale Province. Last night that Ed Rolita can now dedicate plan to teach the people how to the request was approved, and to- full time and Gebre Michael part grow vegetables even in very dry day we have the check in hand. time to directing the relief work. It conditions. Government officials This is the first time the govern- is in good hands. I have become have assured him they will back ment and a voluntary agency have rather emotionally involved with him whenever he is ready to begin. worked together in a feeding pro- the work and the people here, and Gebre Michael has over 90 volun- gram, and all are interested in the it will be painful to leave. teers at the Kuyera College to outcome. Last week we took two orphan spend the summer months helping While the rains seem to be nor- boys aged 12 and 14 to our college in different sections of the country. mal so far this year, it will take sev- at Kuyera. The teachers were glad Please continue to pray for Ethio- eral months before a harvest will to take them in and gave them pia. ❑
SIGNS OF THE TIMES is published monthly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California. Subscription price $6.50 a year. September, 1974.
PHOTOS BY MARY LOU ANDERSON Serving the World/Fiji Islands
No one dreamed what the day tor Kabu fought his way to the would bring forth. Of course, it church to secure the windows and was common knowledge that there doors, thinking the storm would was a hurricane in the area, but soon pass. there wasn't a chance in a million it By nine o'clock he feared for the HELP would come to them. Twenty years safety of some of his members who ago a hurricane hit the Yasawa Is- lived in thatched homes in a nearby lands and badly bruised Suva. But village. Steering his car through this was the dry season for Ba and flying debris, he successfully AFTER A Lautoka, and rain was just out of brought them to the comparative the question. safety of the church. THEN BEBE! Business houses closed, and shut- HURRICANE Suddenly a notice came over the ters went up; working people strug- radio in three languages that Bebe gled to their homes. By eleven had changed course and would pass o'clock the hurricane was in full directly over Lautoka and Nandi. swing, and our pastor thought of R. G. Robinson Pastor Aisake Kabu, Director of Ad- the safety of his own home and ventist churches in the Western family. Travel was virtually impos- Director of Adventist Community Services District, was busily engaged in his sible, but with a prayer he endeav- in the Central Pacific. work and did not hear the radio ored to drive home. warning; he was unaware of the im- On the way he saw trees being pending storm. However, as the uprooted and roofs being torn from In the northern town of Lautoka sky changed color and dark clouds buildings. Sheets of corrugated iron in the Fiji Islands everyone went banked up, he became suspicious. whirled in the air about him. It off to work as usual on that fateful Soon rain began to pound down, was a terrible sight, and the wind Tuesday morning, October 24, 1972. followed by gale-force winds. Pas- screamed at anything it could not
6— SIGNS OF THE TIMES - SEPTEMBER 1974 Hurricane Bebe devastated the Fiji Islands last October. R. G. Robinson was right there leading the first rescue teams. He wrote this report while the rescue work was going on.
Far left Only the floor was left on house in foreground; the roof blew off the house be- hind. So the floor was made into a roof!
Top Quiet seas permit supplies to reach Maloto.
Bottom Another roof blew off and sits intact as loaded rescu- ers start into the bush seek- ing refugees. move. He steered past trees strewn They came to what used to be battered house. Most of these peo- across the roadway and around sev- the home of a lay preacher of an- ple were Hindus, but they recog- eral abandoned cars. Some were other denomination. The top story nized our pastor and thanked him under trees, and others were badly had blown away, but the under- for helping them. dented. Feeling that the Lord had neath portion of the building, surely helped, Pastor Kabu finally though leaking badly, was holding Protection From the Storm reached home without mishap. together. The old man had diffi- Next morning Pastor Kabu drove culty squeezing through the door, into a valley where 95 percent of Homes Disintegrated and for good reason! One hundred the homes were wrecked. Many By noon many homes had blown and thirty people were already people did not know where their away, and their occupants were crammed inside, wet, shivering, loved ones were. One lad had been braving the storm in the streets and and hungry. killed instantly by a piece of flying looking for cover. Old Indian Pastor Kabu braved the elements roofing iron that cut his throat. It women were suffering on the sides again—this time to see the very wor- was impossible to work just then, of the road unable to stand. Young ried D.O. ( government district of- and the pastor had to return the men tried to help them as well as ficer) and ask for some kind of help next morning to survey that area. mothers with babies. Talking was for this desperate situation. The However, before leaving, he looked difficult, and many a cry went un- D.O. said, "If you can get anything for some of his members who lived heard. Pastor Kabu personally saw from any of the shops in town, have there. people narrowly missed by falling it charged to the government and He knew his prayers for their trees. There was also the peril of take it to those poor people." Al- safety had been answered when he stepping on fallen electric power though it was midnight, Pastor saw the two homes of his members cables. Kabu saw someone in a shop and absolutely intact and their owners In the evening he felt impressed was able to load up his car with safe. These two homes were both to go out in his car again. He saw milk and other basic provisions. filled with refugees; there was an old man trying to get back to a Rattling his way down the cluttered barely standing room. People of all shelter, so he stopped to assist him. roads, he finally arrived back at the ages were crammed in, and they