Helping Fatherless Families in Ethiopia
Empowering single mothers and their children to pursue their God-given purpose.
For over 23 years LSM has walked alongside vulnerable families, offering healing, dignity and redemption through our Gospel-centered programs. Since 2009, our work in Ethiopia has empowered hundreds of vulnerable families with the tools and hope they need to pursue their God-given purpose. Earlier this year, we renamed our Family Preservation program the Fatherless Family Redemption program – a name that better reflects the transformative work happening in these families lives. Inspired by what God is doing in Ethiopia, we also launched a similar program to support single mothers in Haiti. These programs offer the redeeming power of God in the lives of families who have no father.
STORIES OF REDEMPTION AND YOUR IMPACT FOR THE FATHERLESS
Eshe was just 16 when she married a kind and loving man. Together, they welcomed two beautiful daughters. But her world was shattered when her husband died suddenly, leaving her with barely enough to survive.
Not long after, she and her daughters became homeless. Desperate to feed her children, she began begging on the streets. In desperation, she turned to prostitution—a choice that left her broken emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Eventually, she was diagnosed with both HIV and cancer.
Overwhelmed with shame and fear, she cried out to God, pleading for Him to protect her daughters.
After her diagnosis, feeling weak, hopeless, and alone her prayers were answered. LSM’s Fatherless Family Redemption staff found Eshe and welcomed her with open arms, despite her feeling completely unworthy.
Eshe received healthcare, trauma counseling, and business training. Her cancer is now in remission. But most importantly, she discovered a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Her daughters, once withdrawn and traumatized, were also embraced by the program staff. They now receive Biblical counseling and educational support and have blossomed into confident, thriving young leaders in their school and church.
Today, this family stands as a powerful testimony to God’s redeeming mercy. Thanks to your prayers and support, a mother once lost in despair has found hope, healing, and a new beginning for herself and for her daughters.
When our Ethiopian staff first met Afia, she was weighed down by despair. With no education and few opportunities, she had found work as a household servant. But within months, the situation turned dark, and she was severely abused by her employer. Overcome by shame, Afia left immediately, unsure of what would come next.
A few months later, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. There she received shocking news that she was pregnant with what they thought were twins.
In her brokenness, Afia cried out to God, asking “WHY ME?”
She confessed that, at that moment, she didn’t want to live, let alone become a mother. She had no way to care for herself, much less two babies.
Yet, she found the courage to continue the pregnancy, determined to give her children up for adoption. But after a difficult labor, Afia was stunned—she had not given birth to twins, but triplets. The weight of responsibility felt unbearable. Still, something inside her committed to keep her sons and give them a future, no matter how hard it would be.
For the next four years, Afia struggled desperately. Her three little boys grew weak and malnourished, and she had no steady way to provide food. She prayed for God to intervene, and He answered by sending our staff to meet Afia and her children.
Because of your support, Afia and her boys received essential food, counseling, business training, and discipleship. Today, Afia runs her own coffee-selling business, supplying several merchants and saving for her family’s future.
Afia now says, “My beautiful boys are a blessing. The day they were born, I felt only devastation and wanted to abandon them. But God gave me courage—and He sent LSM to help me. Now I tell others about the miracles God has done in our lives and the love He has placed in my heart for my sons!”
Zoya, a mother of a young daughter, was just one week away from homelessness when our Ethiopian staff found her. They had been living near our office—exhausted, hungry, and forgotten.
Zoya was overwhelmed with hopelessness. Her daughter hadn’t eaten in two days. Her shoes were made from plastic bags, and her clothes were torn. When she approached our staff, she didn’t ask for much—only if we could help feed her daughter that day.
But God had bigger plans. Our staff immediately welcomed them into the Fatherless Family Redemption program, providing food and safe housing to meet their urgent needs. From there, Zoya began a journey of healing, receiving trauma counseling to address the wounds of past abuse, and business training to help build a stable future.
With determination and new hope, Zoya launched her own small business selling chickens and vegetables. Today, she provides for her daughter with dignity, giving her a safe home, food, clothing, and even a savings account for their future.
Her daughter now attends our weekly children’s program, where she receives educational support and spiritual care. The hopelessness that once filled their faces has been replaced with joy, laughter, and smiles of gratitude.
Zoya shares, “I AM NOW A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN. I AM NO LONGER AFRAID OF TOMORROW OR FOR THE FUTURE OF MY DAUGHTER – BECAUSE WE KNOW GOD’S LOVING PROTECTION IS WITH US.”
Because of your support, a family once on the edge of homelessness is now thriving—spiritually, socially, and economically.
WILL YOU HELP FATHERLESS FAMILIES IN ETHIOPIA?
We are praying for $40,000 to help more families – so they can pursue their God-given purpose and serve as Christ-centered role models in their communities. Our Gospel-driven approach empowers at-risk single mothers and their children, equipping them with God’s healing love to thrive spiritually, socially, and economically. Together, we can bring redemption to fatherless families.
Will you help LSM bring redemption to fatherless families? We are so thankful for your prayerful consideration in making a life-changing difference.
Biruk grew up in southern Ethiopia. Her life changed in 7th grade when her father died, leaving her mother to care for seven children. Biruk gave up her dream of becoming a doctor and dropped out of school to help support her family.
Years later, she married and had children. But when her husband fell into depression, he abandoned his family and Biruk was left to raise her children alone. Despite working long hours, she couldn’t afford rent, and they became homeless. Desperate to keep her children safe, she built a hut out of plastic bags. Then, her health declined and she was diagnosed with breast cancer, losing 92 pounds and all of her hair.
“I FEARED FOR THE FUTURE OF MY CHILDREN,” Biruk shares. “WHAT LITTLE MONEY WE HAD WENT TO FEED MY CHILDREN, NOT FOR MY CARE”.
As she waited death, the LSM Fatherless Family Redemption staff found her. They listened to her story, prayed with her, and welcomed her family into the program. For the first time in years, Biruk felt hope. With LSM’s support, she began chemotherapy and praises God that today she is cancer free! She also received counseling and business training, laying the foundation for a better future for her family.
After her healing, and with start-up capital from LSM, Biruk started a small business raising and selling chickens. Today, she has 79 chickens, which allows her to care for her children, own a two-room home, and even save money for the future. Her children have returned to school and are thriving, receiving educational support, tutoring, and Christian counseling to help them heal.
Most importantly, they discovered the love of a Heavenly Father. Their hearts were restored, and their future became one filled with faith, purpose, and hope. Biruk and her children are eternally grateful—for the prayers, the support, and the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive and share God’s love with others!
GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SUPPORT
We are deeply humbled to serve the families God has placed in our care through our Fatherless Family Redemption program. Because of your generous support, lives in Ethiopia are being transformed and families are finding lasting hope in Christ! Below, Alemi shares her gratitude for your support.
After becoming a widow, I couldn’t provide for my three children. Watching them starve, I made the heartbreaking decision to send my oldest daughter away to live with a relative. After joining the LSM program and starting my own injera business, I was able to bring her back home! With discipleship and educational support for my children, our lives have dramatically changed. We’ve experienced the healing love of God and now share His grace with other vulnerable families in our community. Thank you for caring and supporting single mother families in Ethiopia. – Alemi