International Crisis Aid in the News.
Monday, August 3, 2009 at 06:04PMHere at International Crisis Aid we are constantly aware that we have been blessed with an extraordinary staff, but it is always nice to know that you think so too! Some of you probably remember our earlier post about Ethiopian medical director, Dr. Henok. Dr. Henok recently visited the United States for a special presentation at Life Christian Church. [To read that post, click HERE.]
Dr. Henok serves as the 
medical director for International Crisis Aid's medical programs, and his wife Betty serves as our Ethiopian country director. Together, the two have proven to be an invaluable resource to the work of that International Crisis Aid is doing to bring clean water, medical assistance, homes, and restoration to the residents of Ethiopia.
During his recent visit to the United States, journalist John Grap of the Battle Creek Enquirer was able to interview Dr. Henok about his ongoing work in Ethiopia and hear a little bit more about what his work means to him. The article is below, so please give it a read and then give a big shout out to John for taking the time to brag about the work that Dr. Henok and International Crisis Aid are doing in Ethiopia!
Snapshots: Ethiopian doctor has faith to face severe problems
John Grap
The Enquirer
Two years ago. when I chronicled the work of two International Crisis Aid mission teams in Ethiopia. I had the privilege of meeting many great people. Among them was Dr. Henok Gebre Hiwot.
An OB-GYN physician by training, in Ethiopia and Germany, the 46-year old directs ICA's medical operations in his native country. Prior to this he directed a project whose aim of which was to prevent the spread of the HIV-AIDS virus from mothers to children.
Dr. Henok lived and worked in Israel for 14 years, where he also met his wife Betty. They were married in Haifa on Mount Carmel in Israel, and they have four children: Hila, Chenniel, Sasson and Yael.
Recently I had an opportunity to visit with Dr. Henok during only his second visit ever to the United States. He provided me with an update on ICA's operations in Ethiopia.
The non-profit has opened an orphanage in Sebeta, a town just outside the capital city of Addis Abeba, for children who've lost their parents due to HIV-AIDS. Currently there are 20 children in the orphanage.
In the capital city, the organization continues to work with orphans and with women who have been rescued from prostitution. Forty-one girls and women are living in five homes that the organization supports. When they are rescued they need a lot of pastoral care and other help. "What we can't do for the girls the Holy Spirit takes care of the rest," he says.
In Angacha, a city the size of Kalamazoo, the government turned over a part-time clinic in the area to ICA last year. The clinic has been transformed to a full-time operation, staffed by a doctor, nurses, a midwife, and other staff. Where the clinic used to see treat five people a day the staff can now treat almost 120.
The clinic, the only medical facility in the area, provides service to almost 200,000.
Last year the rains failed in Angacha and Dr. Henok says he found approximately 4,000 malnourished children and families. This year the situation is better.
However, in the neighboring area of Katchabira, workers this year have found 1,900 severely malnourished children.
"I've seen severely malnourished kids in Angacha, but when I saw the ones in Katchabira this year I was really shocked. I know the problem as a doctor. This time it shocked me to the core of my existence," he said.
I asked my friend why Americans, with all the problems we have, should care about people in Ethiopia.
"I will say two things. First of all, there are enough problems here (in the United States), beyond the capacity. But when you come to Ethiopia, or countries like it, the problems are more severe. They are questions of life and death," he said.
Sitting outside a small shopping center in suburban St. Louis, Dr. Henok closed out a meeting with a prayer.
"Thank you, Lord. My feet are set here, in this nation, this big and great nation. I would like to thank you, oh God. You've reminded us, the last few years, about America, something we haven't realized before. You have brought and set up this nation not only for Americans, but for the greater world.
"I can't imagine, Lord, this world without America. We've gone through communism in Ethiopia and other parts of the world. Thank you for bringing America into the picture and for making it a blessing for many. Keep watch on this nation and what's going on. I thank you for all that you've done."
John Grap can be reached at jgrap@battlecr.gannett.com.
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Reader Comments (1)
My love for the people of Ethiopia developed when I was Peace Corps volunteer there in the 1970's. Their culture is much older than ours and they have a deep and rich heritage.
Through a friend of my wife's and mine, Loretta Hassler, also a friend of ICA, that we met Sue and Pat. In 2007 I was blessed to be able to accompany 2 mission teams to Ethiopia.
May the Lord continue to bless the people ICA serves and everyone associated with the organization.
John