Peter Bachman visited the Destitutes, one of the main projects of PBF in Lalibela, Ethiopia.
Destitutes are individuals who have been marginalized and left without basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Many aged people without a caregiver, mothers with many children and have no partner, people affected by chronic diseases, and individuals with disabilities are among those supported by PBF. The Destitutes project aims to provide these individuals with the support they need to improve their quality of life and break the cycle of poverty.
Three villages and numerous individual residences were constructed to accommodate more than 100 households for destitutes in the last 15 years. This provides a secure residence for marginalized individuals. They would have easy access to education for their kids. Many orphan students are also included in the support provided by this Destitutes project.
Every year PBF covered a community-based health insurance program for these households, ensuring they have access to necessary medical care without financial burden. Additionally, PBF also supports a transport cost and additional expenses for patients who are referred to big cities due to severe health conditions that cannot be treated locally. This comprehensive support system helps alleviate the financial burden on families living in poverty and ensures they have access to essential healthcare services.
Additionally, the project includes vocational training programs to empower residents to gain skills for employment opportunities. By addressing both housing and education needs, the Destitutes project seeks to create a sustainable solution for those in need.
There were a total of 278 destitutes, consisting of 149 elderly, 52 patients, 42 disabled (differently abled people), and 35 orphan students. After Dr. Peter Bachmann’s visit in May, an additional 107 destitutes were included.
Dr. Peter was touched by the impact of the project and committed to providing ongoing support to help expand its reach and effectiveness. He started crying while seeing the face and hand of the destitute woman who shared her story of resilience and hope despite her circumstances. Dr. Peter’s emotional response further solidified his dedication to making a difference in the lives of those facing extreme poverty and hardship.
Our people were excited to see him and all wish him a long life.
Getachew Sale
PBF Coordinator