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IHM AIDS Project Manager Dorothy Hanson traveled to Ethiopia in the spring, to visit the health and HIV/AIDS programs of PC(USA)'s partner church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY). She also attended the EECMY Roundtable Conference on Health and AIDS Programmes, held in Addis Ababa May 6-7.
In addition to providing a first-hand look at the AIDS work in Ethiopia, and valuable personal contacts with EECMY personnel, the trip was a sentimental journey for Dorothy. As the daughter of long-time PC(USA) missionaries Fred and Daisy Russell, Dorothy spent much of her childhood in Ethiopia. She was joined on the evaluation tour by Frank Dimmock, PC(USA) Health Consultant for East Africa , Janet Guyer, AIDS Consultant for East and Southern Africa, and Rachel Weller, wife of Mission co-worker Michael Weller.
The group visited the rural Bethel Synods, with Dorothy, Janet and Rachel traveling overland. The lengthy drives afforded Dorothy an opportunity to experience the areas they traveled "close-up" and to meet people along the way. Rachel Weller's language skills proved invaluable on the trip. Medical supplies were delivered by a chartered plane to the most remote clinic, Adura. Dorothy and Frank Dimmock returned to Addis Ababa to attend the EECMY Roundtable.
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