The villages in Konchi consist of middle-class and poor rural family households, with large families. It is an agrarian community that does subsistence farming. However, this fast-growing rural population faces poverty, illiteracy and unemployment, coupled with political instability and existence of various harmful traditional practices.

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This mission centre was founded by an Ethiopian priest Abba Fikre Mariam in 1964. It was later managed by other congregations till 2002 when the late Bishop Leonardus Dobbelaar invited SHM to continue existing activities and also to take up developmental programs.

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The sisters manage a school up to eighth grade, as well as a playschool and kindergarten. Through the clinic they provide primary health care (preventive and curative), immunization, laboratory services, natural family planning, etc.

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Village development programs, women’s empowerment, support to the elderly are other focused areas of service. Malnutrition is a major public health problem among children; through the feeding program mid-day meals are provided for vulnerable and poor children.

POSTAL ADDRESS

Society of the Helpers of Mary, Konchi Catholic Church, Post Box no 11, Konchi Village, Nekemte, Eastern Wollega, Ethiopia, Africa