This community knows what suffering and discrimination look like. They are Gumuz, which is an ethnic minority in northern Ethiopia. They were sold as slaves in the country and for generations, the rest of the nation despised them.
A group of Comboni missionaries arrived in Ethiopia back in the year 2000. Their first mission came about in 2003. Their main goal is to help the Gumuz people. Now a documentary gives some insight into how they make that happen.
'My name is Juan González Núñez and I'm a Comboni missionary in Ethiopia.'
The production is directed by Spaniard Gonzalo Guajardo, a journalist who was impressed by a book authored by a Comboni missionary.
GONZALO GUAJARDO
Author, 'Misionero'
'This documentary is a way to recognize what these missionaries are doing. I documented their work, recorded it, and now I'm showing it. I think that everybody can admire their work, regardless of their personal beliefs.'
The 27-minute-long film follows the everyday life of a missionary. In the morning Juan Gonzalez teaches at schools founded by his order. He also works directly in the villages and he does rounds in local hospitals.
'Here, the clinics only have testing for Malaria. So you can get tested for it, but that's about it. The care is very basic.'
The documentary was recorded in a weekend. Ultimately, the producer wanted to see how the Gospel is explained to cultures that live out in the outskirts of society.
GONZALO GUAJARDO
Author, 'Misionero'
'I wanted to see how missionary work is carried out in Africa. Is it based on intrusion, imposition or rather a proposition?'
As a missionary, Juan González Núñez has lived in Ethiopia for 25 years working side by side with the needy. Just like him, there are roughly 14,000 Spanish missionaries throughout the world, spreading the Gospel.
'We speak of the harvest where the Lord rules the field. We are workers and our responsibility is to sow. That's what we do. If fruits come about, we'll give thanks to God. If nothing blooms, we'll still give thanks to God.'
