At only 10 years old, Abner* has already experienced a lifetime of hunger, faced rejection from his father and seen his single mother struggle to provide for her children. Mekdes, one of our Ethiopian staff, asked him what he feels like his biggest life lesson is from all of this. Solemnly, he raised his head and said quietly,
“Poverty … especially not being able to provide for your kids is bad. But I will change this when I grow up.”
Abner can say this with confidence now because there’s a new reality in his future. He’s an intelligent student, and his dream of becoming a scientist when he grows up is being encouraged by the hope springing up in his family.
He sees his mother, Alem, starting her own business with the support of LSM’s staff. Through this training, financial start-up and ongoing support, Alem will be empowered to grow her business with dignity and support her children.
Abner sees the local church providing support, encouragement and mentoring for his mother, sister and himself, and realizes that there are people who care about his family and want to help them succeed. And more than that, they’ve introduced them to Jesus, who is changing everything!
He knows there are people in the United States that are sponsoring his family and making it possible for them to rise out of abject poverty, together.
Because of all of this, Abner believes he can succeed, even when every generation before him faced the same seemingly endless cycle of poverty and desperation.
He knows life can be different now. And that’s because of the impact of people like you.
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Shop Moriya Ethiopian Accessories and help provide sustainable jobs for mothers like Alem to provide for their children with dignity.
*names changed for privacy