Who We Are

Daughters of Charity (DC) – Tigray, is a faith-based Catholic congregation working under the legal umbrella or auspices of the Ethiopian Catholic Church – Social and Development Commission-Adigrat. ‘Daughters of Charity’ was founded in the 17th Century in France by St. Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marillac in France with a mission of ‘Serving Christ in the Persons of the Poor, the deprived and the marginalized’.
“The main purpose for which God has called the Daughters of Charity and brought them together is to honor Our Lord Jesus Christ as the source and model of all charity, serving Him corporally and spirituallyin the person of the poor.”St. Vincent de Paul.
The congregation has been carrying this mission until the present, and it has a presence in 91 countries on five continents around the world. And the DC started its mission in Ethiopia in 1927 and Tigray Region in 1973. Currently, in Tigray, the DC is engaged in designing and delivering various emergency, socio-economic and development interventions and services targeting the poorest of the poor based at three locations—Mekelle (the regional capital), Alitena (Irob District in the Eastern Zone of Tigray), and Maichew Town (in the Southern zone of Tigray). The main interventions and services of the DC-Tigray, coordinated from an Office in Mekelle,

Vision

A world transformed through service to the poor: The vision emphasizes creating a society where the
marginalized are treated with respect, dignity, and love.
Communities of faith and compassion: They seek to build communities grounded in faith and
compassion, reflecting the values of their founders and embodying the love
and service of Christ.
Global outreach with local impact: Their work is aimed at global transformation, with
practical, hands-on service to meet local needs, especially through
healthcare, education, and social services.

Mission

Serving with humility, charity, and simplicity: They commit to a life of poverty, chastity, and
obedience, dedicating themselves to the service of others.
Meeting the holistic needs of the poor: They focus on both the immediate and long-term needs
of the poor and vulnerable through education, healthcare, advocacy, and
direct assistance.
Promoting dignity and justice: Their mission is to help restore human dignity and
promote justice and peace for all, particularly for those affected by
social inequality, conflict, and suffering.
Creating a lasting impact: They work towards lasting change by empowering
individuals and communities to break out of cycles of poverty and
injustice.

Motto

motto of the Daughters of
Charity
"Caritas Christi Urget Nos" — "The love of Christ urges us".
This motto, drawn from 2
Corinthians 5:14, reflects the central motivation for their mission. The
love of Christ compels them to serve and dedicate their lives to the poor,
seeing Christ in those they help and striving to bring about God’s love in the world.

Core
Values

Charity: As the primary value, charity is the cornerstone of their
mission. They act out of love for God and neighbor, especially the poor, giving
without expecting anything in return.
Humility: Humility is key to their spiritual life. They live simply,
putting the needs of others before their own, without seeking recognition or
reward.
Simplicity: Living simply and focusing on the essentials of their mission,
they avoid excess and embrace the lifestyle of Christ and their founders.
Service: The act of serving others, particularly the poor and
marginalized, is at the heart of their vocation. Their work is focused on
making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Compassion: They approach all individuals with a spirit of compassion
and empathy, recognizing the inherent dignity of each person.
Obedience: The Daughters of Charity live in obedience to God’s call,
to their religious superiors, and to the needs of the communities they serve,
following their faith and the charism of their founders.
Faith: Their work is deeply rooted in faith, grounded in a life
of prayer and devotion to Christ, and in the belief that they are instruments
of God’s love and care in the world.