Addis Abeba (Ethiopia). On 18 April 2026, the “Mary Help Shelter” reception center in Addis Ababa managed by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Sacred Heart Community, within the Mary Help of Christians Preprovince (AES) was officially reopened following expansion works, marking a new milestone in its mission to support young mothers in difficulty and their children.
Inaugurated 18 August 2021, the center initially welcomed ten young mothers with their infants, aged between 4 and 14 months. Since its opening, more than 100 young women and their children have benefited from the program. Present at the inauguration were the Bishop of the Diocese of Emdibir, Msgr. Lukas Teshome Fikre Woldetensae; the Provincial of the Africa-Ethiopia-Eritrea Preprovince, Fr. Ignacio Laventure, SDB; the Superior of the AES Preprovince, Sr. Marie Dominique Mwema Mukato; the FMA Sisters of the Community; and other authorities and supporters of the project.
These young mothers, aged between 17 and 25, come from various rural regions of Ethiopia and have moved to Addis Ababa in search of safety and stability, after having gone through very difficult times.
“Maria Ausiliatrice” shelter provides a comprehensive response to their needs, combining safe accommodation, childcare assistance, vocational training, and job placement support. The five-month program centers on education and training, enabling women to acquire technical skills in the clothing and caregiving sectors, alongside the development of soft skills and participation in workshops on childcare, nutrition, and hygiene. Complementing this is an on-site nursery service that offers a safe and stimulating environment for the children, including educational activities and daily meals, thereby enabling the mothers to participate fully in their training and job placement programs.
A robust job placement system then serves as a bridge to companies in Addis Ababa, ensuring high-quality integration into the labor market.
The inaugural day opened with the testimonies of four mothers: one who currently lives with the Sisters and attends the school, and three who have completed their schooling and are now working. The Provincial, Father Ignacio Laventure, presided over the blessing of the premises, followed by a short theatrical performance depicting the origins of the work, dances performed by the young girls, and a time of fellowship.
With the new expansion, the shelter has doubled its capacity, empowering and emancipating women through education, protection, and genuine employment opportunities, thereby transforming their lives and improving their quality of life.
