Engera

Construction has begun at Shebraber Health Center, a place thousands of families depend on.

Built in 2014, the center now treats nearly 19,000 people each year, and many walk for hours to reach it. The building is no longer big enough for the community it serves, and the lack of space affects both how quickly people can be seen and the privacy staff can offer.

The expansion now underway will add a pharmacy, a storage room, and an emergency room. These new spaces will give staff the room they’ve been missing and offer patients a calmer, more dignified experience.

Sister Meskel shared what this moment means for her team: “This expansion has been a long‑held dream for our health center. Seeing the construction come together is incredibly rewarding. Once completed, it will greatly improve our ability to serve the community by addressing the critical shortage of space that has challenged us every single day.”

More updates soon as the work continues! Thanks for following along 🧡

Imagine a young bride in the Gurage Zone covered by her veil, accompanied by her Menzet (Ajabi) who are dozens of women carrying all the handmade cultural items and tools that she will use to start her new life.

While sitting on the horse, she starts sobbing, thinking of leaving her childhood home behind. The crowd then gathers, comforting her and letting her know that she is never alone.

This is Azhewegne, a traditional Gurage wedding ceremony. More than a celebration, it reflects a deep commitment to faith, family, and community. In the past, the bride and groom often never met before the wedding. Instead, trust was established through Shimgilina - a formal mediation led by respected elders who meet with both families to discuss lineage, character, and compatibility before agreeing to the marriage.

For several months following the wedding, during the Chagula period, friends and family from the community visit every evening to celebrate with the newlyweds until the bride eventually removes her veil.

At Engera, we work to improve maternal health across the Gurage Zone. But this is not a place where care needs to be taught. We support midwives, strengthen clinics, and expand access to resources by building on an existing tradition where families and communities have long cared for women and supported mothers. We are helping ensure they have the tools and support to continue doing so.

In rural Ethiopia, reaching healthcare can mean hours of walking. We support 7 health facilities in the Gurage Zone and South West Shoa, working in partnership with the Ethiopian Catholic Church to strengthen access to skilled care closer to home.
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Nelle zone rurali dell’Etiopia, raggiungere un centro sanitario può significare camminare per ore. Per questo sosteniamo 7 strutture sanitarie nella Gurage Zone e nel South West Shoa, collaborando con la Chiesa Cattolica Etiope per portare cure mediche qualificate più vicino alle famiglie.