CRUSHING POVERTY IS A BRUTAL REALITY FOR MANY CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA.

To escape the constant hunger and overwhelming lack of opportunity, children, single mothers and runaways make their way to the capital city, Addis Ababa, looking for a better life. But with no skills, no connections and in desperate need of food, they find an equally harsh life ahead, full of desperate choices for survival.

LSM HAS BEEN REACHING INTO THIS DARKNESS IN ADDIS ABABA SINCE 2009.

As we looked for the root causes of the orphan crisis in Ethiopia, we saw a cycle of desperation hitting young girls who came to the city looking for work. Many entered prostitution just to survive. Others scraped together what they could from meager vegetable sales on the street. Often, babies are toted on their shoulder, clearly malnourished.

WE STEP INTO THIS ONGOING TRAGEDY AND PROVIDE TANGIBLE HELP FOR THESE FAMILIES– AND, ULTIMATELY GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK A GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF POVERTY AND HOPELESSNESS.

Through small business training, mentoring, support through the local church and educational support for their children, these small families are getting the transformational support they need to lead a dignified life. In turn, they are spreading that ultimate hope to others in their community. Learn more here.