:: IHA-UDP ::

» Project Background
The Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development project is situated in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. IHA-UDP grew out of an urban renewal project by Norwegian Save the Children operating in what the World Bank had identified as the poorest part of the city.

The Project began in 1989 in four kebeles, or administrative areas. Nearly all development projects concentrate on just one area of need (eg. clean water supply) which means they rarely succeed in transforming the community. IHA-UDP is almost unique in trying to do everything, starting on a small scale and rapidly growing in every direction. The Project takes as a symbol a simple triangle, the three sides of which represent:

• Physical Upgrading, eg. provision of street lighting, sanitation, housing...
• Community Development, eg. job creation, provision of schools, care for the disabled and elderly
• Primary Health Care eg. provision of health clinics, basic medicine, health education...

By implementing these three activities simultaneously, the project has begun to break the cycle of poverty for over 35,000 people. Each of the three main areas has dozens of minor projects all running simultaneously. IHA-UDP has featured on Comic Relief and more recently in a documentary by David Dimbleby who describes the founder, Jember Teferra, as 'a modern-day Mother Theresa'.

The work has been so successful that in 1998 the project workers handed-over control to the local community themselves and then started again in another kebele. It has become an important role model for similar projects in other parts of the world.

Members of the church went out to the project in 1990, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2006. In addition to making a couple of videos to raise money, we have donated a minibus, provided materials for several concrete-block houses, provided a special hose-pipe for clearing blocked drains, sent/taken-out medical and other supplies, jointly sponsored an international conference on how churches can serve the urban poor, sponsored research into waste recycling and charcoal production, published and distributed a booklet of Jember's bible reflections (click for a review), administered a regular newsletter for more than 200 of Jember's Christian supporters, and organised several annual conferences held in Oxford.

» Make a Donation

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of the Project, this can be done through Glenfall Church. Please make cheques payable to 'Glenfall Church Ethiopia Account 7583289' and send to:

The Treasurer
Glenfall Church,
7 Carisbrooke Drive,
Charlton Kings
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire,
GL52 6YA
United Kingdom

If you pay UK tax, then please also complete the Gift Aid section of the response form.

» Christmas Cards
Glenfall has produced a range of Christmas cards to raise funds and awareness for the Project. These feature black and white photographs taken by Steve Cahill on recent visits to Addis Ababa.

Packs of 12 cards, containing three of each of four designs, are available for £3.00 plus postage. If you would like to place an order, please use the appropriate section of the response form.

To place an order or for more details, e-mail the Glenfall IHAUDP contact.

» New Video Released!
An informative and challenging new video about the project has just been released. It's by Jeremy Thornton (contact details below). It presents a clear, positive message and the filming is of a high quality.

This film was made during a 3 week stay in Ethiopia in January and the final copy has now been approved by Jember and her Project Team.

We now have a teaser trailer for you to watch (requires Flash plugin)

If you wish to order then please send a cheque payable to J F Thornton to the address below.

The cost is #8 for VHS or #10 for DVD, incl. p&p.

Jeremy Thornton
5 Huntsmans Drive
Upminster
Essex
RM14 3YU

Tel: 01708 228455

jft.productions@btinternet.com

» Free Video
If you would like to know a little more about the Project's approach, then a short video is available. If you would like a free copy, please complete the appropriate section of the response form or e-mail the Glenfall IHAUDP contact.

Further information is also available on the Child Sponsorship and Friends of IHA-UDP schemes. More detailed information is available on request.

» The Prisoner's Lantern
by Jember Teffera

ISBN 0 905870 04 2, published in 1988 by the Keston College (reprinted in 2000 by Glenfall Church), 38 pages, £1.50 (includes P&P - cheque made out to "Glenfall Church - Ethiopia Account") from:

The Administrator
Glenfall Church
21 Glynrosa Road
Charlton Kings
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL53 8QS
United Kingdom

"Imprisonment is a form of darkness" - so says the author of this booklet who wishes to remain anonymous. All we know is that she was imprisoned near the centre of Addis Ababa in a place called "Alem Bekagone" which translated means "the End of the World." In June 1986, Amnesty International reported that there were believed to be over 5,000 prisoners there, of whom about a third were political prisoners.

She was motivated to write out of a concern for fellow prisoners, both guilty and innocent. These meditations give evidence of the practical application of a living faith and speak directly to all who are in captivity - whether spiritual or physical.

Each page of the booklet features a short bible passage, followed by a few thoughts of reflection or meditation leading to a prayer; and sometimes a heart-felt cry to God. The text is interspersed with variety of helpful sketches.

A proportion of the profits from the sale of this booklet is being given to a charity concerned with teaching skills to prisoners in Ethiopia.

» Beacon in the Slums
by Jember Teffera

32 pages, Glenfall Publications, 1994, £1.50 (includes P&P - cheque made out to "Glenfall Church - Ethiopia Account") available from

The Administrator
Glenfall Church
21 Glynrosa Road
Charlton Kings
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL53 8QS
United Kingdom

What hope can there be for the millions of people struggling to survive in the slums of Third World cities? The author of this booklet must have found an answer as she has given-up a privileged background to work for years in the city of Addis Ababa which has the distinction of having the highest proportion of slum housing of any capital city in the world.

Jember is the project co-ordinator of the Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development Project; serving the residents in four of the worst slum areas of the city. The project is almost unique in aiming to meet the needs of the whole person and an unusual style of 'bottom-up' democracy. The biblical inspiration for Jember's work shines out of her booklet. Other Christians called to work with the urban poor will be encouraged by Jember's approach in the booklet which takes a number of scriptures, gives a brief reflection on each one and finally ends in a prayer. The text is interspersed with illustrations of bible scenes and city life.

The profit from the book sales is being donated to 'plastic house dwellers'; often street children who have been displaced by famine, disease or war. They arrive expectantly in the capital city but soon end-up sleeping under plastic sheets at the side of the road. This is Jember's second booklet, following 'The Prisoner's Lantern' (Keston College, 1988).