There’s
one more thing I wanted to write about the FH/E project in Cheha before I move
on to a new topic. I mentioned earlier that veterinary services were part of
the program there – the people in that region were known as herders who relied
on their cattle both as a food source and for working in the fields. To keep
the animals healthy, it was essential to vaccinate them against malaria and trypanosomosis, diseases spread by the tse-tse fly that could weaken cattle, reduce milk production,
and eventually lead to death.
These photos weren't taken in Cheha, but they give you a good idea of what the local cattle looked like and how they were used -- in this case, threshing teff to separate the grain from the chaff.
The
head of the veterinary service for the Cheha project was Dr. Noda, a Japanese
veterinarian – or should I say, The
Japanese Veterinarian, because he was a legend. There weren’t a ton of Japanese
people in the country so he kind of stood out anyway. And, since he spent most
of his time down country, his Amharic was better than his English – which
earned him the love and respect of his Ethiopian colleagues. We were in awe.
At
least on the rare occasions that we were in Cheha, Dr. Noda worked long hours,
and that combined with the language barrier prevented us from getting to know
him or hearing his story. But, as I was searching the internet for information
about Cheha a few months ago, I came across a 1995 Japanese-language interview
with him, which I am happy to reproduce here. It’s worth noting that the
president of Food for the Hungry International at the time was a Japanese
gentleman, Dr. Tetsunao “Ted” Yamamori, and the organization has always had
strong support from Japan.
*****
´WE BRING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF HOPE AND EMPOWERMENT´
Japan, December 12 1995
Japanese
Catholic veterinarian Hiromasa Noda works for Food for the Hungry (FH) in
Ethiopia. Cheha Wenchi district, where he is stationed, has 34 villages, and
residents´ primary occupation is livestock farming. This interview, which he
gave in November while visiting Tokyo on a fund-raising and awareness campaign,
appeared in the Dec. 8 issue of ASIA FOCUS.
ASIA
FOCUS: What is FH and its role and objective in Ethiopia?
HIROMASA
NODA: In existence 22 years, FH is a joint venture of Churches of Canada,
Japan, Korea, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States which identifies
countries stricken by famine or drought and addresses their needs. In Ethiopia,
a major famine in 1984 resulted in approximately a million deaths by hunger and
starvation. FH was initially involved in relief, organizing and distributing
food to meet desperate needs of starving millions. Six months later, as
conditions eased somewhat, it saw its long-term role and objectives change. FH
is now involved in rehabilitative relief projects in drought-stricken areas
including road construction, soil conservation, forestation, community-based
health care and water resource projects. All FH projects are interactive and
grassroots, employing skills and efforts of the local community.
AF: How
did your life lead you to Ethiopia?
HN: As
a high school student, I was interested in electronics and wished to become an
electronics engineer. With time, however, the urge to communicate with people
combined with my love for animals led me to veterinary medicine. I also became
more involved with the Catholic Church as a youth leader. We organized a
three-day youth convention at Nagasaki to broaden the scope of communication
with people in Asian and African countries. Our youth organization began fund
raising for African countries. I was later selected to establish contact with
Africa. This led to my first visit to Ethiopia. I was deeply affected by the plight
of Ethiopians and decided to devote myself full time to addressing their needs.
In 1985, I graduated as a veterinary physician and after a stint in Nagasaki to
gain experience, I enlisted as a Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV)
and was assigned to Ethiopia.
AF:
What led to your association with FH?
HN: My
work with JOCV in Ethiopia in 1988-1990 was primarily administrative and mainly
in the capital, Addis Ababa. I had no contact with people at the grassroots
level, whom I really wished to work with. More importantly, JOCV, being a
governmental organization, did not have the faith commitment which was vital to
me. At that point providence intervened. I met a Protestant Japanese university
colleague, an FH member involved with grassroots work in poverty-stricken
areas. FH needed someone specialized in veterinary science to assist farmers
with the overwhelming problem of livestock disease. I saw the opportunity to
combine my expertise, work within a community and, mainly, the chance to live
my faith through action. I thanked God for this heaven-sent opportunity and
joined FH in 1991.
AF:
What does your work with FH involve?
HN:
Since 1991 I have been involved with the animal health project in Cheha Wenchi
district, a region with hills and valleys and 34 villages, each with
approximately 200 households. Their only wealth and chief source of livelihood
is three or four cattle per household. Cheha Wenchi is infested with tsetse
flies. The cattle have high incidence of death by protozoic malaria. Starting
by teaching basic animal healthcare awareness, through FH offices and funding I
established a clinic staffed by a team of myself and four Ethiopians -- a
veterinary assistant, veterinary technician and two other workers. The clinic
responds to a wide range of animal health concerns. Most of my effort is
training my team, which I hope in two years will become independent.
AF: How
is funding raised for your project?
HN: My
project is funded primarily through Japanese offices of FH. Monies are raised
through funding drives in local Catholic and Protestant parishes, civic
organizations such as Rotary and Lions clubs, and individuals. In fund-raising
and awareness campaigns, I use lectures, photos, and slide shows. Donors and
potential donors are updated on my work in Ethiopia and use of their
contributions through periodic newsletters. Due to lack of knowledge and
difficulty associating with the African situation, let alone that of Ethiopia,
Japanese were initially wary of responding to funding campaigns. But gradually
this was overcome. Shocked by the grave situation, they responded generously.
International events like World Food Day enhance awareness of the situation in
Africa, specifically Ethiopia.
AF: Is
your faith a main support in Ethiopia?
HN: My faith
and total reliance on God has always been an integral part of my life and work.
In a country where explicit preaching of the Gospel is forbidden, it is a
blessing that I can live the message through my actions. I feel my faith
sustains my existence in Ethiopia and I am a de facto missionary. May I also
add that God has blessed me with the opportunity to live with and learn from a
simple and beautiful people.
AF:
What are your hopes for the future?
HN: My
goal and that of FH is to work toward helping people help themselves.
The
wealth of Ethiopia´s 55 million people lies in its 30 million cattle. In a
country perpetually besieged by drought and famine, we believe we bring the
Gospel message of hope and empowerment through knowledge. My hope is that in the
not-too-distant future, Ethiopians will establish private clinics funded (from
within the country) and staffed by people who are the product of their own
educational institutions. When my goal in Cheha Wenchi is achieved, I hope to
move on to where the Lord calls me next, to a project where my services can
best be utilized.
Source:
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