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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Nikita Workneh
Dr Jember Teferra
May 21st, 1943 - January 7th, 2021
May 21st, 1943 - January 7th, 2021
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Tributes
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Iain Macfarlane
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Catherine Benbow
I first met Sister Jember on 27th September 1991. I was a student at ALERT and Sister Jember and Hailegiorgis invited the students to celebrate Meskel at their house. She was late! The most delicious Meskel celebration meal was delayed because Jember was at the prison or the Merkato community development project. On arrival, she said we should have started without her - does this sound familiar? We had a delicious meal and later we danced around the bonfire until it died and so back at ALERT rather late. This was a very special introduction to Ethiopian hospitality and celebration. I did not meet Jember again until I returned to work at ALERT in 1997. I didn't know she knew I was back but Jember had fractured her upper arm and she phoned requesting some rehab from me, nobody else. I always referred ‘patients' to the Physio department but somehow I sensed this would not work - Jember would be busy at IHAUDP during the day and she wanted to come in the evening. It was more important and needful for Jember to be functioning well again, so she came to my home on the ALERT compound. A wonderful friendship developed, and she always did her exercises - rehabbing herself in the true development style. I always looked forward to her visits and she was never late - honestly. We would talk about facilitation, development, empowerment for hours - or rather I chose to listen and learn from an experienced expert with a compassionate heart for all. For personal reasons I had to leave Ethiopia in 2000 but I would continue to meet Jember at the Cheltenham fundraising / update meetings each year with David, Lelo, Workenech and family. She would ask, ‘when are coming back to visit Addis?' So, in January 2015 I returned and stayed with her for 3 precious weeks and met more family members including Memmenasha, Yosi, Manna and Meba and learned more of her family history and visited places which were precious to her. More recently I have visited her in London with Workenech and David. Sister Jember - for me the two words go together - has a special place in my heart and my life has been blessed and enriched for knowing her. With love Catherine Benbow
GatheringUs Support Team
I feel privileged to have known Jember. I first met her when she attended Union Hall Evangelical Church in Manchester. Jember was at that time undertaking her PhD studies at Manchester University. Her dedication to serving the needs of the poor despite many very difficult circumstances revealed the heart of a woman committed to serving the Lord. She will be missed. -Frank McDonald
Maggie Baxter
It was with great saddness I heard of Jember's death and wish to send my condolences, sympathies and much love, to all the family. I first met Jember in Addis through my work with Comic Relief back in the '90's, at which time I also had the privilege of meeting Hailegiorgis. She and I had a very similar approach to community development and we sat for hours solving the problems of the world long into the night. What struck me the most about Jember was her incredible generosity, her selflessness and her unshakable faith. She was a woman of great vision, truly committed and dedicated to everything she did and someone who will live on in my heart forever. Dear Jember, may you rest in peace.
Mary Cutland
It was a privilege to care for Jember's sons during their later school years while Jember (and Hailegiorgis) recovered from their prison ordeals. Jember never showed any bitterness or anger at the injustice they endured, just picked up and carried on her service to her countrymen, - even as she had in prison, where she set up a ward to care for the ill. The care she gave there was later described as better than the hospital care outside. She was truly special.
Jenny Merritt
It was with great sadness I heard of Jember's death and send my sincere sympathy to all her family especially to Workeneh, Memmenasha and Lelo and their families. Jember is now at peace with our Lord whom she loved and served so faithfully but I know you will miss her very much. My introduction to Jember was through my sister who attended training at ALERT, Addis and with Jember took meals to Hailegiorgis when he was imprisoned. In 1988 I went with BCMS to serve in the EECMY School for the Deaf, Hosanna. Jember and Hailegiorgis's home became my second home as I stayed with them when I came from Hosanna to Addis. Their home was a lifeline and they quickly became dear friends. They took an interest in my work meeting many of my students. I met many people whom they welcomed into their home. When I had a car accident I was grateful for their wise and practical help. Jember trusted God through sad family times. She knew it was in God's strength she worked tirelessly and unselfishly to change the lives of huge numbers of voiceless people for the better. She dealt with difficulties all the time but she achieved so much. An amazing lady who I am privileged to have known and called a friend. Jenny Merritt
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