Meet the Kids

Our Sponsorship Children

Click on the child’s photo to get to know them better!

 When you’re ready to sponsor, keep in mind the child’s ID number.

I'm Ready to Sponsor!

Amanuel

Age: 17 – ID: 20220

Yohannes

Age: 14 – ID: 20395

Yordanos

Age: 8 – ID: 20400

Derartu

Age: 5 – ID: 20260

Yetemework

Age: 14 – ID: 20391

Bethlehem

Age: 7 – ID: 20246

Dawit

Age: 15 – ID: 20257

Debora

Age: 13 -ID: 20259

Dibora

Age: 17 – ID: 20262

Elshadai

Age: 14 – ID: 20271

Hermila

Age: 14 – ID: 20293

Kaleb

Age: 13 – ID: 20298

Kalkidan

Age: 18 – ID: 20306

Kalkidan

Age: 7 – ID: 20307

Meron

Age: 15 – ID: 20322

Million

Age: 10 – ID: 20326

Misaqe

Age: 6 – ID: 20327

Mulugeta

Age: 24 – ID: 20329

Mussie

Age: 12 – ID: 20330

Netsanet

Age: 10 – ID: 20341

Selamawit

Age: 8 – ID: 20353

Teyent

Age: 22 – ID: 20369

Wasihun

Age: 15 – ID: 20376

Yabsira

Age: 16 – ID: 20379

Yabsira

Age: 14 – ID: 20385

Yared

Age: 9 – ID: 20387

Abel

Age: 20 – ID: 20202

Abreham - Child Sponsorship

Abreham

Age: 18 – ID: 20208

Abreham

Age: 13 – ID: 20210

Abreham

Age: 20 – ID: 20211

Adana

Age: 19 – ID: 20213

Amanual

Age: 12 – ID: 20218

Ammanuel - Child Sponsorship

Amanuel

Age: 9 – ID: 20219

Bemnet

Age: 22 – ID: 20228

Bereket

Age: 10 – ID: 20230

Bereket

Age: 20 – ID: 20232

Eyob

Age: 23 – ID: 20406

Elias

Age: 21 – ID: 20405

Yordanos

Age: 11 – ID: 20399

Yonas

Age: 15 – ID: 20394

Yegele

Age: 15 – ID: 20388

Yabsira

Age: 7 – ID: 20384

Nicolay

Age: 19 – ID: 20342

Natsanet

Age: 10 – ID: 20339

Natamin

Age: 23 – ID: 20334

Tesedenya

Age: 18 – ID: 20375

Surafel

Age: 15 – ID: 20363

Semira

Age: 20 – ID: 20355

Selam

Age: 8 – ID: 20352

Rina

Age: 11 – ID: 20347

Rahel

Age: 10 – ID: 20345

Nardos

Nardos

Age: 8 – ID: 20333

Mistre

Age: 19 – ID: 20328

Merone

Age: 12 – ID: 20324

Merga

Age: 5 – ID: 20321

Mercy

Age: 16 – ID: 20320

Meheret- Child Sponsor

Merone

Age: 11 – ID: 20314

Biniam

Age: 22 – ID: 20248

Bereket

Age: 16 – ID: 20320

Beruk

Age: 18 – ID: 20239

Bethel

Age: 15 – ID: 20245

Bizuayehu

Age: 23 – ID: 20249

Beleane

Age: 7 – ID: 20250

Dagim

Age: 19 – ID: 20252

Dawit

Age: 18 – ID: 20256

Eayasu

Age: 19 – ID: 20264

Edelawit

Age: 14 – ID: 20265

Edelawit

Age: 8 – ID: 20266

Elizabeth

Age: 20 – ID: 20269

Elshadye

Elshadye

Age: 9 – ID: 20272

Emebet

Age: 18 – ID: 20273

Emmanuel

Age: 11 – ID: 20274

Estifanos

Age: 19 – ID: 20276

Eyob

Age: 21 – ID: 20277

Faven

Age: 9 – ID: 20279

Fekadu

Age: 21 – ID: 20280

Haymanot

Age: 19 – ID: 20290

Hewan

Age: 7 – ID: 20294

Kaleb

Age: 23 – ID: 20299

Kalkidan

Age: 15 – ID: 20302

Kalkidan

Age: 5 – ID: 20305

Kaleb

Age: 20 – ID: 20310

Marta

Age: 19 – ID: 20311

Meheret

Age: 17 – ID: 20317

Hello! My name is Amanuel!

I turned 17 years old this year. Currently, I live with my mother and three sisters. Due to an unknown disease and lack of medical care, we lost our father and the only breadwinner of the family. Our mother was left to care for us with very little source of income. Despite the hardships that our family has to endure, I excel in school and hope to become an engineer one day to help my country build things. Aside from studying, I also enjoy playing soccer.

ID:20220

Hello! My name is Youhannes. 

I am the youngest of six children. Unfortunately, my mother left me with my relatives because she didn't want me. My father passed away from an illness. I enjoy going to school and playing games outside, mostly games that require a great deal of imagination because I don't have many toys. I think it would be fun to drive a car I hope to be a driver when I grow up.

ID: 20395

Hi! My name is Yordanos.

I live with my mother and my sister, Netsanet. My father left when I was only 2 years old, and we haven't been in contact with him ever since. My mother does her best to support us by doing door-to-door labour work, performing like washing clothes wherever she can find customers. She earns less than USD$30, not enough to support me and my sister. I want to become a doctor when I grow up.

ID: 20400

Hello! My name is Derartu. 

Derartu just turned 5 years old this year. She lives with her mother and brother. Derartu’s mother does laundry for a living. She earns just enough to pay rent, and not enough to provide food for the family. Derartu walks a long way to get to school and she wants to be a doctor someday. She loves God a lot and said that one day He will give her lots of food! She likes the colour blue and enjoys playing hide and seek. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up.

ID: 20260

Hello! I'm Yetemework. 

I live in a large family. Although I am blessed to have both my parents live at home, my parents both struggled with chronic illnesses. My father has diabetes and high blood pressure, while my mother has asthma. These conditions could be controlled with medication, it's not always affordable for us to buy medicines. With eight children in the family, the USD$30 pension that my father receives every month is not enough to support us. Despite the hardship, I go to school and dream of becoming a doctor one day.

ID: 20391

Hi! I am Bethlehem, but you can call me Beti! 

Beti is 7 years old this year. Her mother, Hababo, used to help support the family by working in a factory. Tragically, she lost two fingers from her right hand in a work accident. Because of this, her husband abandoned the family. Hababo now must support herself and Beti but has no employment and cannot work at the factory due to her injury. She tries to make a small wage when she can by working door-to-door as a daily labourer, but it cannot sustain the family.

Beti likes to play soccer for fun and her favourite colour is pink. She dreams of becoming a pilot when she grows up.

ID: 20246

Hi, my name is Dawit. 

Dawit grew up in a military family, with his father serving in the Ethiopian Army. Tragically, his father died during a military training accident. Dawit's mother is now left with the responsibility to earn a living while raising her son. Like many women in Ethiopia, she does not have job skills training to help her earn livable wages. Instead, she works as a daily labourer, earning a small income when possible by completing chores.

Dawit's favourite colour is red and he has plans to become a researcher when he grows up.

ID: 20257

This is Debora. 

She joined the Blessing the Children Family in late 2019. Debora always works hard and earns on honours at school. She is a smart and lovely girl, but life is very difficult for her. Debora's father has a drinking problem and smokes chronically, which causes respiratory issues for Debora. Both of her parents have severe, chronic illnesses. The family lives in a one-room government home with one bed and one mattress and earns an income of less than $30 CAD per month, which they receive from her father's pension. There is no electricity or light in the home for Debora to use for studying.

During our initial home visit, Debora said "Everything in this world is not comfortable for me. I cry and ask God "why?" when my dad is drunk and disturbs us. Sometimes when I am hungry and get back from school there is no food in my home. I cry and sleep, that's the only thing I can do."

ID: 20259

Hello, I'm Dibora. 

I live with my grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousin. My parents both died of an illness shortly after I was born. My grandmother suffers from failing eyesight, diabetes, and arthritis. We live in a cement house far off the main road, so it is a long journey by foot to get to and from town. Currently, I am a grade 9 student. I look forward to being old enough to become a doctor so I can help sick and hurting people. I love to eat pasta and red is my favourite colour. My favourite animal is a cat. I enjoy watching Amharic films and listening to music.

ID: 20262

This is Elshadai.

She is 14 years old. Elshadai lives with her mother. Her parents are divorced and her care has been left to her mother, who has a hard life trying to provide for her family with no education or job training. She works a variety of jobs to keep food on the table, but it is never enough. When she was in 5th grade, Elshadai was struck in the eye by a pebble on the school playground. She has had three surgeries but none have been effective in repairing her vision. She struggles with headaches when trying to read and concentrate, making school work difficult for her. When she is older, Elshadai hopes to become a doctor. She spends her free time with her friends and her favourite colour is rose.

ID: 20271

This is Hermila. 

She just turned 14 this year. Hermilla’s parents died when she was only 3 years old. Since the death of her parents, Hermilla has lived with her grandmother, who earns only $40 CAD per month from her pension. It is a difficult life trying to meet the needs of a growing teen girl on such a small income. Hermilla hopes to become an engineer when she is older and wants a good job and life. Her favourite colour is pink and she enjoys spending time with her classmates.

ID: 20293

Hello! My name is Kaleab.

I turned 13 years old this year. On my ninth birthday, in January 2011, my parents were riding the Bajaj (small taxi) home and were struck from behind by another vehicle. My father did not survive the accident while my mother seriously injured her arm.  As a result, my family is enduring a huge emotional and financial burden. Both of us try to get by with so little. But on the other hand, I enjoy hearing stories about Moses from the Old Testament and a cat is my favourite animal. I also love eating pasta with insane amounts of pepper.

ID: 20298

Hello! My name is Kalkidan. 

I turned 18 years old this year. I am the youngest of five children. Even though my siblings are older than me, we all still live with our mother due to financial reasons. Our father died when I was really young. When I am asked about my father, I tell people that my Father is the one in heaven. He takes care of us and sees us through hardships. The story of David and Goliath inspires me because David had enough faith to trust God and kill his giant enemy. I also love playing soccer with my friends.

ID: 20306

This is Kalkidan. 

She turned 7 this year. When Kalkidan was just a baby, her father tragically died. This left her care to her mother, who also has two sons. Kalkidan’s mother, Abebu, works as a daily labourer, going door-to-door in search of work. Her tasks include making injera and washing clothes. This is work only provides low wages. Kalkidan is a precious girl who enjoys playing hide-and-seek. Her favourite colour is red, and she hopes to become a teacher when she grows up.

ID: 20307

This is Meron. 

She turned 15 this year. Meron was abandoned by her father at the age of 12 and now lives with her mother. It is difficult emotionally to be abandoned by a parent and also it put Meron and her mother into hard times financially. Her mother works for a non-profit organization as a cleaner, where she earns $23 CAD per month. Meron is interested in science and hopes to become a scientist when she grows up.

ID: 20322

This is Million. 

He turned 10 this year. Million's life was disrupted when his father suddenly abandoned the family. His mother and sister haven't heard from him since and don't know where he is. His mother does not have steady employment and struggles to meet her children's needs. It is a difficult life of day-to-day living.

Million enjoys playing soccer with his friends and his favourite colour is red. When he grows up, he would like to become a pilot.

ID: 20326

This is Misaqe. 

He turned 6 this year. Misaqe used to live with his parents and two sisters. His father supported the family by working as an accountant. When Misaqe was just two years old, his father abandoned the family. Misaqe and his mother and siblings are now in a bad situation, unable to make enough income to get by. Misaqe enjoys playing hide and seeks with his friends. His favourite colour is blue and he wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

ID: 20327

 

Hello, I am Mulugeta.

I'm considered serious, gentle, and observant. I've seen a lot in my young age. My younger brother and I lost both of our parents. We live with our aunt and two cousins. I am a very bright student and want to be a pilot one day. If I owned my own land I would open an animal shelter. My favourite part of the church is listening to the preacher. My best friend, Fraol, and I like to play soccer together. It's my favourite game. My favourite food is injera and my favourite colour is red. The ox is my favourite animal.

ID: 20329

Hi! I am Mussie. 

I am 12 years old. I am an energetic young boy and I love to play soccer! I am the youngest of three boys and two sisters in my family, and we live with our parents. Both of our parents are ill and our mother has cancer. Very fragile and often sick, she is unable to work. My father works as a horse cart driver and a church guard so he is not home often. When I grow up, I  want to become a Doctor. My favourite game is playing soccer.

ID: 20330

This is Netsanet.

She turned 10 this year. Netsanet is a sweet girl living with her mother and her sister, Yordanos. Her father abandoned the family after her parents divorced when she was 2 years old. He won't even take phone calls from the girls and Netsanet is sad and misses him. She has difficulty studying because she is always thinking about him and wishing he will return to her life. Netsanet's mother does the best she can to support her girls but struggles to earn a living as a daily labourer. She takes work door-to-door, performing chores like washing clothes when she can find customers. This brings in less than $30 CAD per month. Netsanet loves to play hide and seek and enjoys spending time with her sister. Her favourite colour is green and she dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up.

ID: 20341

This is Selamawit. 

She turned 8 this year. When Selamawit’s father found out that she had been conceived, he abandoned the family. Her mother now struggles to earn an income to support her daughter. She currently works at a local school, earning approximately $40 CAD per month. Selamawit loves the colour pink and enjoys playing hide-and-seek with her friends. She would like to become a doctor when she grows up.

ID: 20353

Hello! I am Teynet. 

I turned 22 years old this year. I am told that I am kind and helpful. God has gifted me with the talent of music and I can often be found playing for my church during their many different programs. I live with my mom and sister. My father died of TB when I was a baby. My mother contracted the disease when she was caring for my father. She tries to keep our small home appealing and tidy. I enjoy studying and would like to attend University to study music. When I am at home I help my mother by sweeping the floor and washing the dishes. My favourite meal is bread and eggs. I enjoy playing on the keyboard and singing.

ID: 20369

Hi, my name is Wasihun.

I am a loving boy and I'm always smiling! I live with my mother, sister and three brothers. My favourite animal is a lion, although I don't get to see them. I am currently ranked 3rd in my class at school and am not satisfied with this. I am working hard to study my weak subjects to improve. My favourite subject is English. I want to be a scientist in the future. I enjoy playing soccer and I feel blessed for the social workers and teachers who are helping make my dreams come true.

ID: 20376

Hello! I am Yabsira. 

I turned 16 this year. My brother and I were abandoned by our mother many years ago. After she left, our father did his best to care for us but he was very sick and passed away a few years ago. We were taken in by our grandparents, both of whom are retired and their income that they receive from a pension is 600.00 birr per month – about $21 CAD. Despite their generosity and care for us, our family struggles to make ends meet. I am a big help around the house by washing dishes and cleaning. I love to jump rope with my best friends, Bestelot and Rediet. My favourite colour is green, and in the future, I want to be a doctor.

ID: 20379

Hi! My name is Yabsira. 

I live with my father. Even though he graduated from university with a degree in computer science, he lives with a disability. This makes life challenging for our family.

ID: 20385

Hello! I'm Yared. 

I live alone with my mother in our one-room home. My mother's first husband died suddenly. And her second husband, my father, abandoned the family when he was I was young. My mother has a hard time earning for the both of us as she only does daily labour for people, including washing clothes and cooking for others. She earns around $45 CAD. Despite all this, my favourite activity is playing soccer with my friends. I will become a doctor when I grow up.

ID: 20387

Hello, I am Abel.

I am 20 years old. I attend the Bishoftu TVT College where I study hard. I help at home by sweeping and take care of my younger sisters. My favourite activity is to play a game of soccer with my friends when I am not doing school work. I enjoy eating pasta. My favourite animal is a cat and my favourite colour is yellow. It makes sense, then, that I love to watch the sunrise in the morning. It is the best time of the day!

ID: 20202

Abreham - Child SponsorshipHi, my name is Abreham. 

I am 18 years old. I am living in a dirt shack with my four siblings and grandmother who is barely able to support herself, let alone five children. When our parents both passed away from the same unknown illness several years ago, my grandmother opened her home to us to keep us off the streets. We have been struggling ever since. I am quickly becoming trilingual. My language by birth is Gurage but I am now learning Amharic and English at school. I enjoy playing football with my siblings and friends and attending school. My favourite colour is yellow and my favourite animal is a cow.

ID: 20208

Hi! My name is Abreham.

I turned 13 years old this year. I was raised solely by my mother and have never met my father. My mother raised by working as a day labourer. Eventually, she stopped working because she fell ill. As a result, my grandparents assumed the responsibility of raising me. Their only source of income is the 300 Birr pension that they receive monthly, which is roughly around $11.00 CAD. But despite the financial struggle, I love going to school. My favourite subjects are Math and English. Someday, I will become a pilot.

ID: 20210

Hi! My name is Abreham. 

I am 20 years old. I am a shy young man with a lot of love to give. I live with my mother and younger brother, whom I adore. I share most everything with my brother very willingly. My mother doesn’t have steady work. She makes baskets and small trinkets for Blessing the Children missionaries. Now my mom has to work in a small cafe preparing food. I attend school and my favourite classes are math and English. Currently am a grade 12 student. Next year if God wills it, will join the university. After I am done with school each day, I come home to help around the house, cleaning up and making the bed. When I am finished, I enjoy playing soccer with my best friend and listening to music. my favourite animal food is the lamb!

ID: 20211

Hi, I'm Adna.

I am 19 years old this year. I'm considered a humble young man. Both of my parents passed away before my fifth birthday and I was sent to live with my aunt. My brother and sister were sent to live with other family members. My aunt passed away when I was nine so my brother and I reunited and were living together in a house with three other distant cousins. With no adult caring for us, I was picked on by the other children. My brother and I were taken out of that situation and placed in a Blessing the Children foster home. Despite all of this tragedy, I am a bright, loving young man who enjoys helping out and praising God.

ID: 20213

Hi! I'm Amanual. 

Amanual is an only child. He lives with his mother, Merry, and was abandoned by his father after his parents divorced. His mother tries to support him by working as a daily labourer at an industrial company, but the $60 CAD per month she earns is not enough for a mother and child to live on.

Amanual loves to run around his neighbourhood and play tag with his friends. His favourite colour is green and he dreams of becoming a scientist when he grows up.

ID: 20218

Ammanuel - Child SponsorshipHello! I'm Amanuel. 

I'm 9 years old. My sister and I were abandoned by our mother when I was a few years old. After she left, our father did his best to care for us but he was very sick and passed away a few years ago. We were taken in by our retired grandparents. Their combined income from their pension is 600 Birr ($23 CAD). Although they are generous in trying to care for us, they have been struggling to make ends meet. Some things I enjoy are playing with my best friend, Ababi. My favourite animal is a cat. In the future, I want to become a pilot.

ID: 20219

Hi! My name is Bemnet. 

I turn 22 this year. I am an only child and I live with my mother, who is sick. My own health is very unstable. My mother works for the Air Force as a secretary. She used to practice at home being a secretary in hopes that she would get a job someday. That day has come and her practice paid off. I help my mom out by hauling water home. I enjoy math because it is easy and the teachers do a good job teaching it. My dream is to one day become a scientist. My favourite food is pasta, but for breakfast, I usually eat bread. My favourite colour is yellow and my favourite animal is the giraffe. I love to watch movies. I am a 1st-year University student. Studying Natural Science. I am also learning guitar on my free time.

ID: 20228

 

Hello! I'm Bereket. 

I'm 10 years old. I never knew my father because he abandoned my mother when he found out she was pregnant. Since my mother had to care for her own ageing mother and a newborn baby and had no options, she turned to a life of prostitution. I was living in a bar with my grandma, mother, and my mother's co-worker before joining the Life Support Program. My mother gave me a name and we both had hope for the future. My name means "Blessing". I enjoy playing but mainly, I spend time studying and doing my homework. I want to have a bright future! Currently, I am attending Bethlehem Campus as a Grade 4 student. I love playing jump rope and taking care of my new little sister.

Berket is classified as Urgent because she and her family are in need of beds, including mattresses.

ID: 20230

Hi! My name is Bereket. 

I turned 20 this year. I live with my mother and two sisters. My mother is a cleaner and makes 300 birr ($11 CAD) per month. I help her by washing the dishes. I look forward to the nights my mother makes pasta for me, as this is my favourite food. I attend the BCI Academy. My favourite subject is English because I want to learn to speak it well. I enjoy the teaching process and the challenge of learning another language. I enjoy playing soccer with my best friends, Abel and Ephrem. I like cats, the colour yellow, and hope to one day become a doctor. My favourite day of the week is Sunday when I get to hear the choir at church.

ID: 20232

Hello, I am Eyob. 

I have faced many challenges in his young life. My father passed away and my mom has been very sick the past few years. She just recently remarried, but left my sister and me behind to care for ourselves. My sister has moved back in with our mother but I continue to live alone. I try to be very responsible, cooking, and cleaning for myself, all while trying to do well in school. I would like to be an engineer in the future. Also, one of my favourite pastimes is to sing in the BCI choir. I am a funny, quiet young man but I also have a serious side. If you watch me for a while you will see me practicing my martial arts skills! I like to watch action movies when I have a chance.

ID: 20406

Hello! I am Efrem. 

I turned 21 this year. They say I am very sweet and loving and I always seem to be laughing and smiling! I love to meet visitors and I'm very curious about all equipment they bring! I lost my mother due to complications. I live with my father and older brother. My father is sick but still works as an evangelist and night guard. He makes $40/month. I enjoy attending BCI Academy but find school challenging. I love to attend church. I also love to eat pasta, play running games, and to spend time with my best friends, Bereket and Abel. My favourite colour is yellow and my favourite animal is a cat.

ID: 20405

Hello! My name is Yordanos. 

I live with my mother. My father left when I was a baby. His last known location was in Sudan, but no one knows where currently is. My mother works as a cleaner to support our family. I enjoy playing with marbles and my favourite colour is pink. I dream of becoming a doctor when I grow up.

ID: 20399

Hello! I'm Yonas.

I live with my grandmother and seven other children in the house. I lost my father to an illness. I go to school at Bethlehem BCI campus. I love going to school and learning English and playing soccer with my best friend Dagim. I want to become a doctor when I grow up. Injera with stew is my favourite meal. I also love going to church and singing worship music.

ID: 20398

Hello! My name is Yegele. 

I have high energy and at full throttle all the time. I help my mom by running errands to the corner shop. She's the breadwinner of the family as my father passed away years ago. I also have skin allergies that cause me pain and prevents me from doing fun things. My favourite meal is macaroni. I could it it all day. But my typical breakfast is tea and bread. When I grow up, I will serve my community as a taxi driver.

ID: 20388

This is Yabsira. 

She turned 7 this year. Yabsira is blessed to live with both of her parents; however, life is quite difficult because both of her parents have a chronic illness. Most of the time, her parents are too sick to actively work and it is difficult for them to feel well enough to provide care for Yabsira. Sometimes, her father can't even walk. Their health condition will get more difficult as time passes, and the family is in urgent need of assistance. Yabsira is a sweet girl who loves the colour pink and playing hide-and-seek.

ID: 20384

Hello! I am Nicolay. 

I turned 19 this year. I am told that I am a unique young man. My father was in the Russian Air Force and was stationed in Ethiopia when he met my mother. I was conceived, but then he left. Currently, my mother is retired and receives $15/month CAD through a pension. I am allergic to the sun and it causes discoloration on my skin. I help out around the house by running errands and going to the local shops for supplies. I am clever, wily, and happy but I miss having a father in my life. I dream of one day becoming a doctor but for now, I am attending class to become an auto mechanic. Most mornings I have tea and bread for breakfast, but my favourite food is pasta and my favourite colour is green. In my free time, I play soccer. I have got a driving license,  which makes me happy. Am attending Bishoftu TVT college as an authomechanic second-year student.

ID: 20342

Hello! I am Natsanet. 

I am 10 years old. I was only 5 months old when Blessing the Children discovered me, and they found that I had no name. In Ethiopian culture, if the parents believe that the child will not survive, they don’t name them. They soon learned why my grandmother thought I would not survive. The local church prayer team was called in to fast and pray for her, and a week later my mother arrived at the church and came forward to receive Christ. My mother is not in good mental health, so my elderly grandmother is responsible for most of my care.

ID: 20339

Hello, I am Natamin.

I turned 23 this year! I came to the Life Sponsorship Program after my parents died due to illness. I have also been ill and have been undergoing medical treatment. I am strong and basically healthy given my diagnosis, except for hearing loss since birth in my right ear. I live with my sister, brother-in-law, and two young cousins. My sister makes and sells sambusas (deep-fried dough filled with lentils) to help support the family. I help to sell the sambusas for my sister at night and on the weekends. I am currently studying textiles in college.

ID: 20334

Hi! I am Tsedenya.

I have had a tough life since I was just a baby. When I was six months old I began having signs of chronic epilepsy. Since then I have been fighting for my life. On top of that my father passed away, leaving my mother to care for three children. She works as a janitor in a local Red Cross office, and although her income of 1000 Ethiopian birr (about $52 CAD) is better than most families, it does not cover my treatment or our living expenses. I love to play soccer and my favourite colour is red. I also love to draw and watching TVs show.

ID: 20375

Hi! I'm Surafel. 

I am 15 years old. I am very shy but very curious. I live with my mom and brother in a small one-room house where we all share one bed. I don't do well in school, my mother is uneducated and is unable to help me with my schoolwork. I do enjoy helping my mother wash dishes! My favourite colour is red and my favourite animal is a cat. I can usually be found playing soccer with my friends. I am a very picky eater and do not like injera, only macaroni. I will only eat injera with tomato if there is no pasta and if I am forced to eat it! My favourite game is soccer!

Surafel has been classified as Urgent because he and his family are in need of food.

ID: 20363

Hello, I am Semira. 

I am sweet, cheerful and very personable. I live with my mother who was working as a cleaner at a BCI Academy, but due to poor health was unable to continue. I attend a BCI Academy and my favorite subject is math. My mom and I have both been sick. It is my dream to one day be a doctor and help other people who are sick, too. If I owned my own land I would build a hospital. My best friend is Efrata and we enjoy playing jump rope together. My favorite color is blue and favorite animal is a cat. I eat bread and tea for breakfast most mornings, but my favorite meal includes meat, which I cannot have very often because it is so expensive!

ID: 20355

Hello!

My name, Selam, means "peace" in Amharic. But despite my name and large, happy smile, my mother and I have a very sad story. My mother used to live in rural Ethiopia with her husband and three children. However, he would often get drunk and beat her. After many years of abuse, she fled to Debre Zeyit with her youngest son and began making a living by washing clothes, until one day while at work she was raped by a man she washed clothes for. This painful experience resulted in her becoming pregnant with me. Currently, we live in a tiny house in poor condition. My family’s situation is very desperate and I need immediate assistance. I love school and learning both Amharic and English too. I enjoy jumping rope.

ID: 20352

This is Rina.

She turned 11 this year. Rina lives in a desperate situation. She has already lost her father due to chronic illness and her mother is now sick with the same illness. She is unable to work and earn a living, and her health is continuing to decline. There is no government program to help a family like Rina’s, so without help from Blessing the Children, Rina will not have her basic needs met and will have no hope to break out of the cycle of poverty she is living in. To make things more challenging, Rina's mother decided in 2019 that she did not want to take medication for her chronic illness. She feels that anointing water will cure her and she is not open to medical treatment.

ID: 20347

This is Rahel.

She turned 10 this year. When Rahel’s mother was pregnant for her, she was diagnosed with a chronic illness. The news of this diagnosis caused Rahel’s father to abandon the family. Her mother supports the family by working in floriculture in the industrial zone. She earns just under $35 CAD per month, which is not enough to support a family. Life is also difficult due to her illness. Rahel loves to jump rope and her favourite colour is green. She enjoys science and hopes to become a scientist when she grows up.

ID: 20346

NardosHello! I'm Nardos.

I am 8 years old. I have never met my father. He abandoned my mother when she was only two months pregnant with me. She does her best to make a living by baking injera and washing clothes for people. I also have an older brother who lives with us, so our family is in great need!

She is classified as Urgent because she needs additional food and healthcare for her mom.

ID: 20333

Hi, I'm Mistre. 

I turned 19 this year. I am a triplet!  My father died very suddenly, leaving my mother to care for us, three girls. She works as a daily labourer and makes $20/month CAD. I enjoy studying and am currently attending Bishoftu TVT college to study Information Technology. I love to go to church to pray!

ID: 20328

Hi! I am Merone.

I turned 12 this year. I am a sweet, young girl who loves to run and play. I am very shy and reserved, but get me together with my best friend, Berehane, and I'm loud and outgoing! We enjoy playing with neighbourhood cats, playing soccer and, studying for school. I want to be a teacher when I grow up and love the opportunity to attend the BCI Academy. My favourite meal is vegetable sandwiches and I love the colour red. I live with my father, mother and little brother. My family is extremely poor; my mother is a stay at home mom who spends all of her time looking after my young brother. My father works as a helper on a taxi making less than a dollar a day. Life for our family is extremely hard. However, thanks to one missionary who spotted me while on a home visit to a neighbour's house, I was able to be added to the BCI sponsorship program.

ID: 20324

Hi! I am Merga

I turned 5 this year. I live with my guardian who took me in after my mother abandoned me. We live in a one-room home with mud walls and a dirt floor. My guardian is 60 years old and makes $10 CAD a month watching the neighbour's cows. I dream of growing up to become a teacher. I want to earn an income and buy a car for my guardian. It's very uncommon to own a car in Ethiopia but I want to repay my guardian for caring for me. My social worker says I am a sweet boy, always thinking of others. I love my guardian like a mother.

ID: 20321

Hello, my name is Mercy.

I have been told I'm cheerful and friendly. I love to laugh. I attend BCI Academy. My mom works as the BCI janitor making $25/month (CAD); she is so grateful to have a steady income. My father abandoned us when I was only two years old. He had a history of drug, alcohol, and mental problems. My best friend is Maylot. Injera and wot (stew) is my favourite meal. When I grow up I want to be a doctor. Our home is high up on a hill and it's quite a steep walk. My house did not have a bathroom but a visiting missionary generously paid to have one installed. Although our home is small and modest, my mother keeps it clean and tidy.

ID: 20320

Meheret- Child SponsorHi! I'm Meheret. 

I am 11 years old. I live with my mother and younger sister. My father abandoned us when I was five years old. My mother has been struggling to make ends meet ever since. She works in the local slaughterhouse making less than a dollar a day. I love math and in the future want to become a doctor. My favourite colour is red and I love to play hide and go seek with my best friend, Mita.

ID: 20314

Hello! My name is Biniam.

I am 22 years old. I am quiet and shy and I have lived a hard life. Both of my parents are deceased so I live with one of my sisters and cousins. I am studying engineering science at a university in Ethiopia. I find a school to be a challenge but I enjoy learning English. My best friend is Fokeriob. We study together and also find time to play soccer, which is my favourite activity. My favourite food is duro wot; a spicy chicken stew. My favourite colour is red and my favourite animal is the lion. I also enjoy hearing the choir at my church.

ID: 20248

Hello, I am Bereket. 

I was raised by my mother, Hewan. She cared for my brother and I single-handedly after our father abandoned us a long time ago. She was a hard-working single mother, working as a day labourer to provide for us until she fell ill to the point that she couldn't care for us anymore. The burden then fell on my grandparents. Their only source of income, a 300 birr pension which is equivalent to $11 CAD a month, is not enough for our family of five to live on. I love to play soccer and study with my best friend, Yetemgeta. My favourite colour is green. In the future, I want to be an engineer.

ID: 20235

Hello! My name is Beruk. 

I turned 18 this year. They say I am a bright young man with an electric smile! I still love to smile even though my life has been very hard. I lost my mother when I was young and watched my father struggle with constant sickness, yet trying to make ends meet for my sister and I. At one point my father's health declined so much that he was unable to care for us and we were sent to live with our grandmother. I am a good kid and I enjoy school and have lots of friends. I enjoy playing soccer with my best friend, Engdawork. My favourite colour is green and my favourite food is pasta. I like to show kindness by sharing my portion whenever I see a hungry dog.

ID: 20239

Hi! I am Bethel. 

I turned 15 this year. I am the youngest of five children and I am a full orphan. I have endured a lot of loss in my young life. I lost both of my parents and was sent to Debre Zeyit to live with a distant relative. Although I am grateful to have a guardian, my guardian is unable to care for my brothers and sisters, so all of us siblings were slit up and are now living in different places.

My guardian is older but does not require me to help around the house. I am a quiet child who loves to snuggle. My favourite colour is red and my favourite animal is a lion, although I’ve ever seen one in real life.

ID: 20245

Hello! I am Bizuayeu. 

I'm described as funny, whimsical and mischievous. I have a lot of fun joking around and always have a smile. This keeps me strong, despite the setbacks in my life. In February of 2009, my mother, Wubalem, was hit by a car. She was unable to walk for quite some time so this caused a strain on the family finances. My mother is better now and is hopeful about our future. I am currently studying hotel kitchen operations. This is my final year to finish my study, God willing. I enjoy watching movies and make new food and I am always the top-picked goalie!

ID: 20249

Hello! I am Bleane. 

I am in desperate need of help. My mother is physically disabled, deaf and mute, and an attack on her is what brought me into this world. My mother has sued her attacker over this tragic, life-changing incident, but he is not supporting me. Currently, we are living off the support of the neighbourhood as we have no source of income and my mother is unable to work due to her disabilities. Our neighbours try to help out as much as possible but they are poor themselves, so it’s uncertain how much longer this can last.

ID: 20250

Hi, my name is Dagim. 

I am 19 years old. I live with my aunt, uncle, grandmother and grandfather. Sadly, both of my parents are deceased. My aunt is a daily labourer making $12 CAD per month. My chores consist of running errands and going to the local shop. I suffer from recurring bouts with tonsillitis. I am attending Bishoftu preparatory school as a grade 11 student also my favourite subject is math, because I understand it well. I hope one day to become a doctor so that I can help other people. My favourite food is meat but I don't have it very often because it is very expensive. I enjoy spending time listening to music and playing soccer with friends.

ID: 20252

Hi, my name is Dawit. 

I am 18 years old. I live with my mother and two siblings in a small rented house. My mother and father have separated, leaving my mother to care for us children by herself. Although my father pays an amount to support us, and my mother earns an extra 70 birr ($2.50 CAD) per month, it is still not enough for her to provide for her family. I enjoy English, my favorite colour is green, and my favourite animal is the lion. I also enjoy playing soccer and watching television. My best friend, Tekalign, is also in the BCI program. In the future, I want to be a doctor.

ID: 20256

Hello, I am Eayasu. 

I am 19 years old. I am quiet but friendly and cooperative. I have no siblings but I live with my mom and four aunts. My grandmother passed away. My father, a paralyzed soldier, died of a kidney infection. I also have trouble with recurring kidney problems. My mom stopped working. I help the family by running errands to the local shop and washing the dishes. I attend a preparatory school where I work very hard. I dream of one day becoming a computer engineer. My favourite food is Shero. If I had my own land I would build a house for my mom.

ID: 20264

Hello, I'm Edelawt. My friends call me Pome.

I was abandoned by both of my parents when I was very little, so I have no memories of them. I am being raised by my aunt who struggles financially to support both of us. Although she is providing everything that she possibly can, I am very small and do not get the nutrition that my body needs. I help around the house by washing the dishes. My favourite colour is pink and my favourite animal is a lion.

ID: 20265

This is Edelawit. 

Edelawit lives with her mother, brother, and sister. When she was five years old, her father abandoned the family, leaving her mother to support the children herself. She provides for her family by working as a daily labourer. This is a difficult lifestyle with an inconsistent income that is never enough to cover family expenses. The family lives in a one-room house that is in a condition not fit for a family. The roof has large gaps and holes and does not keep out the rain. This has resulted in a terrible odour that makes it hard to be inside the home.

Edelawit’s favourite colour is red and she dreams of becoming a doctor when she is older.

ID: 20266

Hello, I am Elizabeth. 

I live with my mother and two siblings. My father abandoned us, leaving my mother to provide for us on her own by baking and selling Injera. While she does her best, even in a good month my mother will only bring in around $12 CAD. She is also very sick with TB, which continues to lessen her ability to work. I enjoy going to school, but in my spare time, I help my mother care for the house and my little sister, Tigist. I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

ID: 20269

ElshadyeHello, I'm Elshadye.

I am 9 years old. I live with my mother and sister. Our father abandoned us a long time ago, so our mother has been taking care of us by working as a day labourer. Zehara, my mother, is a very hard worker who tries to provide for her family but because she is ill, she is sometimes unable to work. Her income is about 650 Birr ($25 CAD) a month. It is not enough to cover our family's basic living expenses of food and shelter. I love to play hide and seek with my best friend, Betty. My favourite animal is a cat. I am very

Elshadye is classified as urgent because she and her family need additional food and vitamins.

ID: 20272

Hello! I'm Emebet. 

I am 18 years old. I am the third of four children and we all live with our mother, who has an illness with her eyes. Our father passed away when a house he was working on caved-in. This left my mother to single-handedly care for all of us. My mother has a steady job but she is required to work seven days a week. She doesn’t make a lot of money so the support we receive from Blessing the Children has been an answer to her prayers. I like to be kind and helpful to others. I also enjoy school and my favourite class is food preparation and cooking. I guess it's a good thing I like school, and attending in TVT. In my free time, I enjoy going to church service. My favourite colour is green, which is probably because I enjoy being outside in nature, sitting on the grass!

ID: 20273

Hi, my name is Emmanuel.

I turned 11 this year. When Blessing the Children found my family and me, my mother was working as a prostitute at a local bar and our home was a tent on the sidewalk outside the bar, built around a mattress. My father had been gone for many years but just recently came back. Upon meeting our family and seeing our desperate need, Blessing the Children immediately found a new home for us and accepted all three of us children into the program. They say I am a resilient child who has bounced back remarkably. My only toy is a spinning top, but I love it and I share it with my brother, Abi. My favourite game is running and jumping. I also like pasta and my favourite animal is a cat. Currently, I am attending Bethlehem Campus as a grade 5 student. I love playing soccer with my friends. I have got a new brother and sister.

ID: 20274

Hello, I am Estifanos. 

I turned 19 this year. I used to live with my mom who is paralyzed from the waist down and is also ill. When mom needed a wheelchair after many years, God provided by sending a visiting missionary. I am a very good student, always receiving top placements in my class. My favourite subjects are maths and English and I have the goal of becoming a doctor to help people like my mother. My chores consist of cleaning the house and hauling water. My favourite food is rice and cake, and I enjoy playing soccer. Currently, my mom has moved to Addis Abeba so she has helped while I attend school. I am studying medicine at Myungsung Medical College(MMC). My hobbies include reading books, watching shows, and playing basketball.

ID: 20276

Hello, I am Eyob. 

I turned 21 this year. I am a very happy and cheerful boy, but when I was a baby my caretaker dropped me and I landed on my head, causing mental impairment. Thankfully, I have improved a lot due to the care I've received through Blessing the Children. I enjoy people and I am very social with my community and other children in my compound. My mother is a daily labourer who makes $15/month (CAD) but she is also sick. My father died of unknown causes. I have no siblings. I do enjoy dismantling radios and one day would like to become a mechanic. My favourite food is chicken, but rarely get to enjoy it because of the cost. I attend church and love to worship. I have a cat, and I like cows. My favourite colour is red.

ID: 20277

This is Faven. 

Faven is a sweet and well-behaved girl who lives with her mother and older sister. Her mother had to leave her father due to a bad situation and she now cares for the girls by herself. She tries all the time to find employment but is unable to due to her lack of skills and education. Faven is a lovely girl who enjoys playing jump rope with her friends. She loves her sister very much and wants to be a doctor when she grows up.

ID: 20278

Hello! I am Fekadu.

I turned 21 this year. I am very active and outgoing! Living with my mother and two sisters, I am the man of the house. A few years ago, my father became very sick and could not walk or get around. My mother began working a lot, breaking cobblestone. My father passed away in 2017.  However, I am very resilient. My favourite bible story is David and Goliath. I like to pray to God. I also enjoy studying, and currently attending Jijiga University, as a first-year.

ID: 20280

Hello! My name is Haymanot. 

I live with my mother and two brothers. Our father was killed in the war. Our mother was in a car accident, leaving her unable to work for quite some time. Although she has improved since her accident, she is now ill. My siblings and I do our best to help out around the house when not in school.

My favourite animal is a fox and my favourite colour is green. My favourite time of day is the morning when I get to spend time with my best friend, Mendu.

ID: 20290

This is Hewan. 

She turned 7 this year. Hewan lives with her older sister and her mother, Shewaye. Shewaye was a servant for five years, up until Hewan was in grade 6. When Hewan was two years old, her father passed away in an accident. Shewaye struggles to support her daughters on an income of $25 CAD per month, which she earns by washing clothes. One of the biggest challenges for Hewan and her sister (who is 7 years older than her) is their two-hour walk to school every day. They also struggle with food insecurity. Additionally, Hewan is very fearful of a hyena attacking her while she walks home from school

Hewan enjoys jump rope and hopes to become a teacher when she grows up.

ID: 20294

Hello, I am Kaleb. 

I am good-natured, with a talent for music. I can often be found playing the keyboard at my church. My favourite food is duro wot (spicy chicken stew) and my two favourite colours are yellow and red. My favourite animal is a rabbit and my favourite game is soccer. I am proud to be one of the first BCI students to attend university. I studied Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology. I graduated from the program in August 2019.

ID: 20299

Hello, I'm Kalkidan. 

I turned 15 this year! I live with my mother and two siblings in a government rental house. My mother and father have separated, leaving my mother to single-handedly care for us children. Although my father pays an amount to support us and my mother earns an extra 70 birr per month, it is still not enough for a single mom to provide for a family. My favourite subject at school is environmental science. My favourite animal is a cat and my favourite colour is red. I enjoy playing with my best friend, Selam and I like to read the bible and other books. In the future, I want to be a doctor.

ID: 20302

This is Kalkidan. 

She turned 5 years old this year. Kalkidan is blessed to live with both of her parents; however, her father is disabled due to the effects of polio, making life difficult for the family. Her father serves God by working as an outreach volunteer at church. Her mother earns an income for the family by working as a cook, earning $40 CAD per month. Kalkidan is a very sweet girl who loves to play on the swings. Her favourite colour is pink and she dreams of becoming a pilot when she grows up and having the freedom to travel the world.

ID: 20305

Hello, I am Mahider. 

I turned 20 this year. I am a shy girl but very inquisitive. I live with my mom in a one-room house. My mom works at a hotel restaurant preparing food. She makes $25/month (CAD). My father is deceased. I help my mom by cleaning the house. I enjoy studying and am currently attending a private college to study Information Technology (database). I also love watching movies.

ID: 20310

Hi, I am Marta. 

I turned 19 this year. I am a fun girl with a rich imagination. I don't have a lot of social skills, because I have not received much attention in my life, but I love to be loved! My father is deceased and I don't know where my mother is. I live with two aunts, two uncles and my grandparents. My grandmother is sick. I help out by washing the dishes. Currently, I attend Bethlehem Campus as a grade 10 student. I love studying civics at school as well as watching movies!

ID: 20311

 

Hello! My name is Meheret. 

I am 17 years old. I live with my mother and two siblings in Debre Zeyit. Even though I can't walk or talk due to a disability, I enjoy every minute that I spend with my best friend, Yordanos. My father left us a long time ago, leaving my mother to care for the family on her own, often washing clothes or making injera for people. Work is a challenge for my mother, as she has a skin condition. I need a sponsor who can provide me with diapers. My mom currently sells injera to BCI Academies to get money.

ID: 202317