In October 2024, CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia embarked on its first mobile clinic in Mekelle to identify and examine children with treatable disabilities. While the medical assessments were crucial, the team realized that there was a deeper, unaddressed need: the emotional and spiritual scars left by years of conflict.
Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, remembers the long history marked by repetitive periods of conflict in the region. Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, another war erupted, resulting in loss of life and socio-economic hardships heavily impacting many communities, particularly children with disabilities. This recent conflict left many communities with trauma and a sense of hopelessness.
Recognizing this, when CURE Ethiopia conducted its second mobile clinic in May 2025, the CURE Ethiopia spiritual ministry team extended their stay to offer a two-day training to equip local church leaders, children’s ministry coordinators, and full-time ministers with tools to support their congregations’ healing processes. “We had two focus areas, Theology of Disability (which is always present in our training) and Trauma Care, because of the need in that region,” explained Dr. Seblewongel Asrat, CURE Ethiopia’s Spiritual Director.
Building on relationships established during the first mobile clinic, the CURE Ethiopia spiritual team conducted the training at Tigray Tehadiso Church in partnership with the Tigray Evangelical Churches Fellowship (TECF). TECF facilitated communication with member churches, coordinated logistics, and ensured a smooth experience for all involved.
Another significant contributor to the training’s success was Dibab Berhane, a local volunteer and CURE Ethiopia friend. Her deep understanding of the community’s context and her compassionate approach helped bridge gaps and foster trust among participants. “She was like a master key to the hearts of the people,” stated Dr. Seble.
The training sessions were interactive, combining biblical teachings with practical counseling tools. Participants engaged deeply, sharing experiences and developing actionable plans to support their communities. “It wasn’t just a training,” Dr. Seble added, “It was a launching pad.” Encouragingly, many attendees have already initiated projects within their churches, some collaborating with organizations like Compassion International to expand trauma care efforts.
In regions like Tigray, where the journey to recovery is ongoing, a focus on physical and spiritual transformation is vital. By empowering local church leaders with knowledge and resources, CURE Ethiopia aims to foster holistic healing in their communities.
This initiative reflects CURE Ethiopia’s commitment to holistic care, addressing not only physical disabilities but also emotional and spiritual needs. Through compassion, partnership, and faith, healing extends beyond the physical, reaching the hearts and minds of the children we serve.
Join CURE Ethiopia as we strive to foster healing beyond the physical.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia
Established in 2008, CURE Ethiopia performs over 2,500 life-changing reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries every year for children suffering from treatable disabilities. Strategically located in the capital city of Addis Ababa, the teaching hospital has 70 beds and four operating rooms. CURE International uses this facility to multiply its efforts by partnering with The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to serve as a regional learning institution by implementing an orthopedic pediatric training program at the residency and fellowship levels. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE Ethiopia ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities.
