What is Gergesenon

Due to both the stigma as well as people not always being able to take care of their family members with mental disabilities and mental illnesses, there are a lot of with nowhere to go and no one to help them. They are people who are often found completely unconscious, wearing ripped and dirty clothes, starving, and would be left there to die. They are completely unsafe on the streets and are subject to mockery and potentially even fatal violence.

My mom recalls multiple heartbreaking scenarios where kids would mock and throw rocks at these homeless disabled people, who were already starving and suffering and likely did not ever receive a happy ending. Gergesenon helps these people out by housing them and giving them hope for their lives.

A total of 1,000 people have lived on Gergesenon’s property, 460 having recovered and left, while 540 are still living there today. 25 of them are children, with 12 of them having autism. The workers, such as doctors and organizers all work on a volunteer basis, so none of what they do is out of personal interest. In addition, many of those who are volunteering once used to be people who lived in Gergesenon and wanted to pay it forward to other people in need.

We met the Orthodox Priest, who had experienced the same fate. He was found on the streets, not aware of anything and his surroundings. He was picked up by residents, who took care of him and got him the care he needed. Once he came out of his challenges, he made Gergesenon his calling.

Gergesenon Challenges

SUPPLIES

Gergesenon used to give the people living there tea daily, especially since it can be very cold; however, due to tight funds, they can only afford to give them tea a couple times a week. Even something as small as tea, which we might take for granted, is a struggle to afford for Gergesenon. However, it would be unfair for Gergesenon to have to stop taking ppl in due to tight funds because there are still so many out there who still need their help and whose lives depend on this.

MEDICAL

There is a range of the severity of these people’s conditions, and we know that 60 percent of the people living there need adult diapers.

HOUSING

Gergesenon is renting their current property since the government was not willing to give them a place until very recently.

CLOTHING

This location in Addis Ababa is at a very high altitude, so it gets very cold. They have a limited number of blankets and clothing, many of which are ripped. When I walked into Gorgesenon, we saw the newcomers room, which is a very small room with two bunk beds and mattresses on the floor. I was astonished and heartbroken by the cold, dark, and cramped living conditions of these people, especially this young child who had no family and was just found on the streets.