Shashamane in need

On the 29th and 30th of June 2020, many parts of Ethiopia witness some of the worse devastation horror on these two days. Business properties burnt to the ground, killings, causing great displays of communities around the country.
These unrests have caused a great number of the communities, man, woman and children, to be sheltering in churches in Shashemene.

Shashemene, is known as town that RastafarI built, the RastafarI community have been residing in Shashemene for over 70 years. In these years the returnees have developed and encouraged development of the town.

Much of these developments of homes, businesses including banks, have been destroyed by fire.

These religious and tribal conflicts is the worse that’s ever been seen in Ethiopia, people have travelled running for their lives, from surrounding areas like Bulbulla, Arsi Negele, to find refuge in Shashemene. This has caused, fear and uncertainty, this is a traumatic time for the local people, not forgetting the anxiety of the Covid 19 pandemic that has hit the world, in such enclosed spaces.

We have gathered a team of British nationals here in the UK who were previously residing in Ethiopia and, or have children and family members there presently. Working in conjunction with the charity, Total Team Input Reparations and Repatriations Committee ( TTIRRC ) will be giving more updates as we attempt to ease the burden faced by our people.

Working with the charity Total Team Input Reparations and Repatriations Committee, we were able to collect donations and purchase , much needed clothes, sanitation, and medical supplies to send to Shashemene, Ethiopia. The collection of clothes is now completed. It has become more apparent that it is better to send money to buy clothes on the ground in Ethiopia. However we have already collected and would like to send these necessary supplies.

Due to the destruction of schools, and businesses premises, this have also cause a loss of jobs in many area, causing more and more dependency in the area, tourism would normally bring in large revenue for the local people, who deals in crafts, and tour guides, and restaurants and cafes, the social unrest has also cause a fear of travel in these areas by tourists. The community including the churches in the area have been doing the best, to help the situation even though they are also affected by this unrest, they also have lost loved ones during these unrests, a curfew is still on people cannot travel to far for their own safety, they are in need the help from the international communities. Where some children will be returning to school over the next few weeks, many schools are burnt to the ground, robbing many children of their education, and those who can return are in fear of what might happen to and from school.

Let us pray for Peace
We are calling for help for payment of cargo to get these necessary supplies to the People in Shashemene, where asking for your help in donations to the Gofundme page to cover the cost of the Cargo fees.

Through these devastating times we will not give up on our community and we plead and ask that you find it in your hearts to help the helpless and provide essentials aid for the innocent people and families effected.

Our main goal is to help as many people as we can and bring back some type of normality.

Any donations of, or contacts for people that can donate portable facilities would be greatly appreciated.

Contacts:
Jasmin Rowe MBE +447770155715 
Ras Reuben Kush +447428980642
Naomi Forrest +447368370376

Also we ask that you share this on social media too as every penny counts.

Please contact us if you have any further queries, we will be more than happy to help.