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Structural poverty has remained a typical attribute of Ethiopians. Conversely, Ethiopians have had diversified responses to poverty. One of these is offered through NGOs. This work deals with the challenges of poverty and the responses that a pioneering local NGO, the Association for the Destitute, offered against these challenges. The Association was triggered by poverty in Ethiopia. It was established to find solutions for the socio-economic challenges the poor faced in and around St. Paul´s Hospital. Thus, its history is to be seen in line with its effort to fight against such specific socio-economic challenges to share the burden of poverty at the national level. The Association was challenged by a number of problems. Prominent among them were financial constraints and the fact that its members were working as volunteers only. Thus, the attempts of the Association to come out from the financially precarious situation and the efforts of the most active members of the Association to enhance interest and problem awareness among their members are also discussed in this work as an important part of the history of the Association.

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The author acquired his B.A. degree in history from Addis Ababa University in 2004, becoming first a graduate assistant at Mekelle University. After further studies, he graduated in history (M.A.) with very great distinction in 2009, winning the award of the best student of the faculty.

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