Student Initiative Rahel

The Student Initiative Rahel (German: Rahel-Bildungsprojekt) is a project of the Institute for World Church and Mission (IWM) (German: Institut für Weltkirche und Mission) which is a part of the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen. The nonprofit organization supports in a scholarship youths - mostly young women - in Adigrat in the north Of Ethiopia, who are disadvantaged for various reasons, and accompanies them financially and ideally during their studies at a university or their education. The project is funded mainly by current and former students at the university.[1] It is largely funded by donations.[2]

History

Street scene in Adigrat, 2014

The idea for the educational project was developed in 2010 during a research trip on the subject of AIDS by the then head of the IWM, Albert-Peter Rethmann. It was in the context of a research project of the German Bishops' Conference (German: Deutsche Bischofskonferenz) in Adigrat in Tigray Region in northern Ethiopia.[3] In this region, many young people have no access to higher education due to lack of family support, many are AIDS orphans. Young women are particularly affected by this situation through discrimination. An initiative of the Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS) of the Ethiopian Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat has already supported ten young people with micro-scholarships for obtaining a university entrance qualification and at least one bachelor's degree in their own country. One of the sponsored students was the AIDS orphan Rahel Hailay.[3] The result of the journey resulting from the trip was an international initiative of students for students in the age of globalization as an overall project.[3][4]

In November 2017, the project was announced to be phasing out. In a farewell letter to the donors, the Rahel team wrote that it expected its work to be gradually taken over by the Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS) and former graduates in Ethiopia.[5] The Rahel team conveyed the same message on Facebook in January 2018, clarifying that it would not accept any further donations.[6]

Target

The project supports disadvantaged, primarily female, young people in the Tigray Region who lack equal access to education for reasons of poverty or gender.[7] The financial support consists of micro-scholarships. The scholarship holders are accompanied during their studies or education. The name of the project comes from Rahel Hailay, who completed the study of biology and zoology at the universities in Axum and Mek'ele from 2009 to 2014.[8][9][10][11] By 2015 the training of 47 young Ethiopians had been made possible. Nowadays the promotion of 40 young people at the same time is possible. In addition to financial support, an important further aspect is the promotion of networking among scholarship holders and the promotion of ethical behaviour in Christian sense. Through women who are given a higher level of education through this project, others should be given the idea of achieving a higher level of education.[12]

This development cooperation is intended to give freedom to the beneficiaries without material needs and making their lives self-responsible. An important factor for a lasting effect is, in particular, the motivation of those who want this development. Central is therefore the promotion of the autonomy and self-initiative of the scholarship holders in the sense of the Catholic social doctrine. The initiative of the students from Germany can serve as a model for the students in Ethiopia. It is possible that the project will in the future develop into an Ethiopian alumni project where graduates who are in work assist other young people in their education.[13]

As a secondary effect, training programs such as the Rahel project are also a medium to long-term contribution to the fight against become a refugee due to lack of education and resulting poverty.[14]

Funding, support and public relations

Ethiopian coffee ceremony in Tigray Region, 2012

The educational project is financed through public donations and campaigns, such as at the Frankfurter Stadtkirchenfest at Frankfurt Cathedral (German: Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus),[15] collects in Catholic church parishes and the Centre for Christian Meditation and Spirituality of the Diocese of Limburg, as well as the salvation of festivities such as the summer festival of the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology[16] with an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, auctions and other revenues. In addition, these actions also serve to create new contacts, information and exchange on the project.[2] These actions are also supported by the Network of Frankfurt One World Groups in Frankfurt.[17]

The Rachel educational project is funded by the Cusanuswerk, a gifted support program under the supervision of the Catholic German Bishops' Conference[18] and by the Center for Christian Meditation and Spirituality of the Diocese of Limburg.[19]

The project is supported by the Pontifical Mission Societies (German: missio) in all financial matters, such as account management, the administrative costs or the transfer of money to Ethiopia.

In addition to the internet, public relations activities also include media such as Radio Horeb.[20]

Realisation in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat

In Ethiopia the project is referred to as an OVC project (orphans and vulnerable children). It is supervised locally by the Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS) of the Ethiopian Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat under the patronage of the diocesan bishop Tesfay Medhin.[21] The OVC project is active in the areas of Adigrat and other areas particularly affected by poverty.

The project manager of the ADCS Woldemariam Besirat selects the scholarship holders[15] and organizes religious education workshops on scholarship meetings with their own and external lecturers on topics such as AIDS, the consequences of emigration as refugees or on other medical or ethical issues. In addition to financial support, the promotion of self-reliance, self-confidence and self-esteem, the promotion of self-responsibility, the awareness of responsibility and the ability to work together are important aspects of the work of the OVC project.[3][12]

Literature

  • Judith Breunig, Madeleine Helbig, Claudia Berg, Stefanie Matulla, Magdalena Strauch, Marita Wagner, Benedikt Winkler (June 2015), Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative - Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010-2015 (in German), Frankfurt: Institut für Weltkirche und MissionCS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

References

  1. Judith Breunig; Madeleine Helbig; Claudia Berg; Stefanie Matulla; Magdalena Strauch; Marita Wagner; Benedikt Winkler (June 2015). "Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Mission) (IWM). Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Stefanie Matulla (June 2015). "Aktionen: Wo kommt das Geld eigentlich her? (=Actions: Where does the money come from?) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM): 10–11. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Judith Breunig (June 2015). "Aktionen: Wie alles begann... oder: Im Anfang war ein Studientag (=How it all started ... or: In the beginning was a student's day) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM): 8–9. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. Benedikt Winkler (18 September 2011). "Studentenprojekt 'Rahel' hilft äthiopischen Studenten (=Student project Rahel supports ethiopian students), on kath.net" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  5. Rahel-Team (15 November 2017). "Brief an Spender(=Letter to donors)" (PDF) (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM). Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  6. Posting on the initiative's Facebook page, 28 January 2018.
  7. Marita Wagner. "Telefa – Die entführten Bräute Äthiopiens (=Telefa - The Abducted Brides of Ethiopia), on katholisch.de" (in German). Internetportal der katholischen Kirche in Deutschland (Katholisch.de). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  8. Rahel Hailay; Claudia Berg (June 2015). "Report on my life - So oft gesehen, so häufig gehört, doch wer ist Rahel wirklich? (=Report on my life - So often seen, so often heard, but who is Rachel really?) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM): 31–33. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Magdalena Strauch. "Rahel – Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat (=Rahel - An educational project for Adigrat), on betterplace.org" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Mission) (IWM). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  10. BW Media Mission, Benedikt Winkler (6 April 2011). "Rahel – Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat (=Rahel - An educational project for Adigrat), on YouTube" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Mission) (IWM). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  11. BW Media Mission, Benedikt Winkler (21 October 2014). "Ein Wiedersehen in Adigrat (=A reunion in Adigrat), on YouTube" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Mission) (IWM). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  12. Judith Breunig (June 2015). "Wie kommt das Geld nach Adigrat? - missio, unser Freund und Helfer (=How does the money come to Adigrat? - missio, our friend and helper) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM): 12–13. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. Magdalena Strauch (June 2015). "Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (=development cooperation) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM): 40–41. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. "Bekämpfung von Fluchtursachen (=Fight against becoming a refugee)" (in German). Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  15. Jonas Göcke (28 August 2016). "Stadtkirchenfest Frankfurt - Mit dem Schiff zum Gottesdienst (=City Church Festival - With a ship to the church service)". FR-Online (in German). Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  16. Editorial department of Frankfurter Neue Presse (15 June 2013). "Hochschule St. Georgen öffnet zum Sommerfest die Türen (=St. Georgen University opens the doors to the summer festival)" (in German). Frankfurter Neue Presse. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  17. Doris Wiese-Gutheil. "Netzwerk Frankfurter Eine-Welt-Gruppen (=Network of Frankfurt One world groups)" (in German). Kath. Stadtkirche Frankfurt of the Diocese of Limburg. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  18. Judith Breunig. "Rahel – Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat (=Rahel - An educational project for Adigrat), on website of the Initiative Teilen im Cusanuswerk e.V." (in German). Cusanuswerk. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  19. Rahel-Team (June 2015). "Rechenschaftsbericht seit Start der Überweisungen (=statement of accounts since the beginning of transfers) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Mission) (IWM): 16–17. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. Internationale Christliche Rundfunkgemeinschaft (ICR) e.V. (7 December 2014). "Radio Horeb Tagesprogramm (=Radio Horeb Program of the day)" (in German). Radio Horeb. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  21. Marita Wagner (June 2015). "Die 3. Reise nach Äthiopien (=The third trip to Etiopia) in: Rahel - Ein Bildungsprojekt für Adigrat - Festschrift der Studierendeninitiative – Ein Blick durch die Zeit: 2010–2015 (=Rahel - An education project for Adigrat - Festschrift of the initiative by students - A view through the years: 2010-2015)" (in German). Rahel-Bildungsprojekt (=Student Initiative Rahel) / Institut für Weltkirche und Mission (=Institute for World Church and Christian mission) (IWM): 34–37. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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