Axum was the center of Ethiopian civilization as early as 3000 years ago. The stele (decorated pillars built from a single stone) and the archeological sites of Axum are documented as one of UNESCO’s world heritages. The archeological foundations of gold and silver coins show the city’s rich cultural wealth, economic and political strength from the first through eighth centuries. Additionally, the Biblical ark of covenant is believed to be kept in the grounds of church of Saint Mary Zion in Axum adding to the historical richness of the city.
However, the contemporary Axum inhabited by about 60,000 hard working people is overtaken by its poverty. The impact of two decades of civil war as well as lack of capital and skilled labor like many poor nations have caused Axumites to languish in destitution. Lack or absence of health services and basic nutrition are causing many parents to either suffer in their everyday lives or pass away in their earlier years leaving their children for street life. Many parents also lack incomes to satisfy basic needs for themselves and their kids which is the other factor that forces children from poor families to quit school and wander on the streets to gratify their needs. These situations have made the children vulnerable to street lives, domestic servitude and other illegal activities. Thus, children who are supposed to be raised in a way to be the future hope and builders of their communities will rather end up becoming the burden to the community members and to the nation as a whole. Additionally, these uneducated and unskilled children will keep on passing the harshest way of life they are experiencing to their children which will keep the cycle of poverty going on from generation to generation.
Mosaic Global Mission desires to invest in the development of the city of Axum in the following areas: education, clean water, health care, and orphan care. We believe that by investing our time and resources over a sustained period of time, we will see families elevated above the poverty line and we will see the orphans of today become the leaders of tomorrow.
