Family

First time Helena and Tapio Räisänen went to Ethiopia in February 1978. Their missionary work started as teachers in the Bethel Evangelical Secondary School in Dembi Dollo. Tapio taught wood works for the boys and Helena taught mathematics and physics. While in Dembi Dollo three children were born – Markus (1978), Miika (1980) and Johanna (1983). The family returned back to Finland in June 1993 because of the children’s studies.

The family stayed in Finland the next 11 years. During this time period also the parents continued their studying: Helena became a nurse-diaconess and Tapio a youth and leasure instructor. The children continue their lives in Finland: Markus starts work in Kirkkonummi by the beginning of the year 2005, Miika studies in Tampere and Johanna in Oulu.

Of the four grand parents one grandmother is left. Sylvi Jääskelä lives in Haapavesi. She is in her seventies and still living on her own. Sylvi loves to grow flowers and she actively participates in the church work. Her occupation was to work as a farmer's wife. Sylvi has 6 children of her own, 18 grandchildren and 6 grand grandchildren - total of 30 persons of offspring.

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