Kenly Greer Fenio
IOCC-Ethiopia

IOCC intern Kenly Greer Fenio (middle) takes a moment with Ethiopian researchers Kehulu Yilikal (left) and Meheretu Ayenew, on the shores of Lake Awasa in Ethiopia. Ms. Fenio served as an IOCC intern in the summer of 2004, working on a new HIV/AIDS project.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (IOCC) — When I began my work as an IOCC intern in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, IOCC was just starting to implement its HIV/AIDS program in several regions throughout the country.

Although I have worked in South Africa and Swaziland in AIDS programs, my job in Ethiopia involved the largest research project I have ever led. After hiring two research assistants/translators from Addis Ababa University, we began pre-assessment research that included a series of in-depth interviews, focus groups and surveys in the capital, Awasa and Shashemene (in the south).

Talking to community members about what they believe to be the strengths and weaknesses of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church gave me insights into this culture that would have been otherwise difficult to obtain. The hope of the communities was truly inspiring.

It’s an unfortunate fact that the severe lack of economic development in the country means that many of its citizens are among the poorest in Africa. That didn’t seem to deter them from talking to us, however. One of the more appealing aspects of Ethiopian culture is the ability of Ethiopians to open their hearts and share what they have; everywhere I went, people offered coffee or lunch, and as I walked down the streets each day, it amazed me how often I saw Ethiopians giving coins to beggars.

Although the shouts of “faranji, faranji” (foreigner) when they see a white face became tiring at times, the words were almost always accompanied by a smile and a twinkle in the eye.

I think the most important part of our work in Ethiopia was with the focus groups: Married women told us about their problems in discussing sexuality with their husbands; people living with HIV/AIDS recounted the discrimination they experience every day; and anti-AIDS activists talked about the efforts of young people to eradicate the stigma of the disease in their communities. The insights shared during these discussions were invaluable and confirmed for me how important pre-assessment is to any project, especially when it involves a topic shrouded in such secrecy.

By the time I left Ethiopia, I felt that our research had accomplished its goal of providing vital information to the monitoring and evaluation team of IOCC’s partner, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (DICAC).

The potential for changing the HIV/AIDS infection rate through faith-based organizations certainly exists in the country. I hope to return to Ethiopia in the near future to continue my research and witness how the work of religious communities to fight HIV/AIDS is growing.

— Kenly
IOCC-Ethiopia