Press release: From Scotland with love: British Ambassador hands over funds to Muday Charity Association

On 3 October, British Ambassador to Ethiopia Susanna Moorehead presented the Muday Charity Association with almost 200,000 Birr (£6500) – the result of a fundraising drive centred on one of Scotland’s best-loved writers.

Burns Night, on January 25th, remembers the life and works of famous poet Robert Burns and is celebrated by British communities all around the world. This year’s Addis Ababa event, organised by staff from the UK Embassy and others from the British community, was attended by 320 people. The evening included poetry readings and traditional Scottish Ceilidh dancing as well as a glass or two of Scotland’s world-class whisky.

The evening raised 199,426 Birr for charity, and after a careful selection process the organising committee decided to give the funds to the Muday Association, which supports street children, children with disabilities and their mothers. The charity provides 600 children with meals, clothes and education. The Association has also set up a Mothers’ Cooperation, enabling 400 women to make and sell handicrafts. Ambassador Moorehead presented the funds to the association’s founder Muday Mitiku.

Speaking after the presentation, the Ambassador said:

The Muday Charity is doing vital and extraordinary work in Addis Ababa – giving destitute children a chance to have a happier childhood and a better future. British people have a long tradition of charitable giving, and our community here in Addis Ababa is no exception. It gives me great pleasure to hand over these funds, which I know will make a real difference to the lives of the women and children supported by Muday.

Notes to Editors

• Burns Night marks the anniversary of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns’, birth on 25 January.

• Held throughout the world on Burns Night (or on an evening close to it) a traditional Burns supper is held on Burns night and celebrates Robert Burns’ life and work.

• Ceilidh dance is a traditional Scottish/Irish social gathering where people can gather to dance and hear the Ceilidh band play. ‘Ceilidh’ is a Gaelic word. Its meaning is literally ‘a visit’ but is more commonly used to mean a dance, a concert or just a party.