“The unfortunate citizens, whom you are striving today to change and improve their lives, would advance country’s economy and make nation’s transformation a reality tomorrow. You are an exemplary lady. Your industriousness and commitment will lift the country out of all the inconveniences it is in today; and make poverty and misery a past history. You are our heroine, compassionate and kind for those who are in discouraging situation. You are the one who can see and understand the sufferings and feelings of the people that fate has turned its back on them.”
These were some of the comments posted on the web page of Addis Ababa City Press Secretary Office with regard to the commitment and dedication Deputy Mayor Adanech Abiebe has exerted to improve the lives of those less fortunate citizens, especially through her Office’s feeding program.
It is true Adanech, since she assumed office as Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa City Administration; she has been undertaking various activities; mainly targeting the pro poor and vulnerable segment of the society. She delivered houses for those who were residing in tattered houses in poor condition and is refurbishing worn-out houses of residents’ through her office programs.
Furthermore, among other areas where her office has been exerting utmost efforts, feeding program is the one. According to a study conducted by the city administration, there are over 100 thousand residents who cannot afford to get a meal once in a day in Addis.
With the aim to address the challenges of these vulnerable segments of the society, the City Administration has set a plan to build feeding centers in various areas of the Capital and provide meal for the residents.
As part of this plan, the City Administration has so far built five feeding centers in five different areas in Addis Ababa. Recently, the City Administration has officially inaugurated the 6th feeding center-Tesfa Birhan feeding Center in Nefas Selk Lafto Sub City around Jemo-one glass factory.
The newly inaugurated feeding center, which is the sixth feeding center in the capital, is said to serve more than 2 thousand people who can barely feed themselves even once a day.
Noting the fact that seeing destitute people in search of food in areas where garbage is dumped is undesirable that touches everyone deep and feel ashamed, the Deputy Mayor stated that such situation were the main driving force for her Office to establish feeding centers to lessen the burden of those unfortunates.
“Nation’s deep-seated culture of supporting each other has enabled us to build more feeding centers,” she further illustrated.
Besides setting up the centers, the city administration is registering progressive results in implementing various developmental activities despite the current situation in the country, said the Deputy Mayor.
As to her, through the summer volunteerism program, 850 elderly houses renovated, 356 children were adopted and close to 11 million seedlings were planted in the Capital.
Munir Heyeredin, who is known for his active participation in voluntary service, has pledged to cover the center’s expense for one year, it was learnt.
The feeding center was constructed by Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation within a short period of time.
The center is expected to create job opportunities for many women and mothers.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD AUGUST 27/ 2021
