When Wegayhu Ketema was a child living with her grandmother in Harar, Ethiopia, she became seriously ill. An infection spread to Ketema's ear, but there were no doctors or clinics nearby from which to seek treatment. Her grandmother's only option was to take Ketema to the local church, where the priest tried to cure her with holy water. Ketema's hearing was permanently damaged as a result of inadequate treatment.

Since she was 8 years old, Ketema dreamt of becoming a nurse to help her community in Harar. Inspired by her experiences growing up there, Ketema made her dream a reality by becoming a licensed nurse in 1985. She moved several times before coming to the United States in 1989. Ketema has now lived in Lancaster for almost 35 years, and she works as a traveling nurse at facilities across the county. In 2015, she decided to turn her attention toward the many needs of the people of Harar by co-founding the nonprofit organization Siloam Ethiopia.

Through Siloam Ethiopia, Ketema helped to establish a free medical clinic in Harar, and she regularly takes trips to assist with its day-to-day operations and to deliver supplies. Siloam Ethiopia has also completed projects near the clinic such as building wells for clean water access. Three years ago, the organization assisted with founding Emmanuel Church in Harar. "The good Lord has been so gracious to bring us to this country that has given us so much. We have to remember the people we left behind," Ketema said.

To sustain its continuous work in Harar, Siloam Ethiopia will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Ethiopian Evangelical Church, 175 Church St., Landisville. From noon to 4:30 p.m., members of the organization will serve a traditional Ethiopian meal for a set price. Patrons will be offered a choice of three of the following dishes: doro wat, a spicy chicken stew; misir wat, containing spiced red lentils; atakilt wat, a cabbage and potato stew; and kik alicha, a stew with split peas. Each dish will be served with injera, an Ethiopian flatbread. To reserve a meal for pick up, contact Ketema by calling 717-669-0930 or by emailing wmketema@gmail.com.

The proceeds from the fundraiser will help Siloam Ethiopia to cover the clinic's operating expenses, such as paying rent and compensating its staff. The funds are also used to procure medications and eyeglasses for patients of the clinic, which the clinic is often in need of; the government in Harar frequently confiscates medical supplies that are shipped to Harar.

Due to health complications, Ketema has been unable to visit the clinic this year. Last December, she traveled to Harar with a team of volunteers to treat patients, distribute eyeglasses and assist at a local girls' orphanage. Ketema's husband, Demeke Getahun, visited the clinic in July. Getahun is a pastor at Ethiopian Evangelical, and he also helped oversee Emmanuel Church in Harar. "Everything that we do there is to help people through the goodness of Jesus Christ," said Ketema. "We started the clinic to help the poor and homeless. It has always been close to my heart."

For more information, visit https://siloamethio.netlify.app/.