We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Dr Jember Teferra. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual and in person gatherings, we will share details here. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
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... moreIt 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. less
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... moreI 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.
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... moreIt 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. less
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... moreI 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.
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... moreIt 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.
Dr. Jember Teferra, founder and leader of IHAUDP, whose vision, mission, and organizational values I share most, was not only my boss but also my mentor and true friend. Her vision, mission, and values has also been shared, implemented, sustained and... moreDr. Jember Teferra, founder and leader of IHAUDP, whose vision, mission, and organizational values I share most, was not only my boss but also my mentor and true friend. Her vision, mission, and values has also been shared, implemented, sustained and replicated by many local NGOs in Ethiopia.
Dr. Jember Teferra will be missed by all of us and especially by the underprivileged communities whose lives she had positively changed. Her legacy will remain etched in my heart as well as in the hearts of those whose lives she had positively changed.
May she rest in peace and may God give all her family members, friends and co-workers strength and comfort during this difficult period less
Jember was one of the first people I met when I arrived at Clarendon School at the age of 15 and we were in the same very cold dormitory. We always had a lovely friendship with lots of laughter and we gave each other nicknames. I remember dancing... moreJember was one of the first people I met when I arrived at Clarendon School at the age of 15 and we were in the same very cold dormitory. We always had a lovely friendship with lots of laughter and we gave each other nicknames. I remember dancing round the 6th form classroom singing "Younger than Springtime" from the film, South Pacific (we both liked John Kerr!). In later years she stayed with us in Teddington when she visited Tearfund. A truly inspiring person I was privileged to know who always gave 110% to each and everyone of us. less
To my great inspiration, Jember. Your soul was bigger than your stature, your voice clear in the confusion. You are and will always be a star by which we can navigate the path of righteousness and justice. I am heart broken at your passing and my prayers... moreTo my great inspiration, Jember. Your soul was bigger than your stature, your voice clear in the confusion. You are and will always be a star by which we can navigate the path of righteousness and justice. I am heart broken at your passing and my prayers are with family and friends at this time. May Gods peace and comfort rest upon you. Blessings. less
From my first meeting in 1994 until a few days before she died, and went to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jember was deeply compassionate towards the urban poor, prayerful, respectful of the Bible and she never gave up working for the Kingdom of God. ... moreFrom my first meeting in 1994 until a few days before she died, and went to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jember was deeply compassionate towards the urban poor, prayerful, respectful of the Bible and she never gave up working for the Kingdom of God. Jember endured all sorts of hardships without feeling sorry for herself. What an inspiration! This picture was taken a few years ago in Cheltenham when presenting Jember with a silver plate inscribed as follows: With love to Jember. In recognition of your achievements with IHA-UDP from your friends in the UK, October 2013. "In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me (Matthew 25: 40)" less
Sheila JohnsonIt was such a privilege knowing Jember and having a chance to travel to see her work in Addis Ababa among the poorest of the poor. A great legacy. I'm sure the angels in heaven will be rejoicing at her arrival there. God bless you, Jember and the lovely... moreIt was such a privilege knowing Jember and having a chance to travel to see her work in Addis Ababa among the poorest of the poor. A great legacy. I'm sure the angels in heaven will be rejoicing at her arrival there. God bless you, Jember and the lovely family you leave behind.