We were sorry to hear of the recent death of Sir Alec. His legacy will live on in the various charities that he established, including Ethiopiaid, following his visit in 1987. We ourselves had gone to Ethiopia separately: Roy to work at the University in 1969 and Chris in 1970 as a UNA volunteer where she became involved with what is now Cheshire Services. It was there that we met, married and remained until the fall of Haile Selassie in 1974/5.
Ethiopia has therefore meant a great deal to us and we subsequently visited and supported various projects over the years. Sir Alec’s creation of Ethiopiaid benefited us directly in providing a clear channel for our donations. We are drawn very much to its focus on the survival and advancement of women and girls from poorer households who face not only poverty, but a number of traditional cultural factors which often limit their prospects. Without the kind of help that Ethiopiaid’s projects offer, many would end up going into prostitution or slave-like labour.
In recent years population displacement due to regional conflict and climate change have added in many ways to the need for support of the type that Ethiopiaid provides. So, Sir Alec’s legacy will be ever more important in the future, and we wish you and the staff well in realising his aims.
