Weragu Catholic Mission lies on the green hills of the Ethiopian plateau, at about 150 miles from Addis Ababa. Even though the first 50 miles are along a brand new tarmac highway, the remaining journey is like a ride on a roller coaster, as the dirt road winds up and down the steep banks and side branches of the Rift Valley.
At Weragu, within the compound of the mission, there are the church, the Fathers’ and Sisters’ houses, an elementary school, a clinic and a public fountain. Water is fetched at a natural spring that lies in a small valley below the mission. The spring water is collected first in a cement cistern and then pumped up to a higher tank for distribution to the whole mission compound. The electric generator that supplies power to the electric pump, and to all the mission buildings, has been faithfully working for at least sixteen years, but lately it has been breaking down. Spare parts are no longer available in the country, while importing them is very costly due to 100% custom duties. A new generator is available for sale in Addis Ababa for the equivalent of $6,700 plus $500 for the transport and installation. Its purchase would solve the issue for a long time. Fr. Michael and Fr. Mark – the two Consolata Missionaries who run the mission – found enough money to buy a new plastic water tank, but not for a generator.
Father Michael and Father Mark need $7,200 to buy a new generator and have it installed. Your help would be of high value: No one who gives a glass of water will remain without reward!