ETHIOPIA
Project Ethiopia: Covenant & Debrebirhan Orphanages:
The presence of war, famine and disease is producing extreme poverty that has plagued the Ethiopian people for decades. Unfortunately, women and children are often the most dramatically affected by these types of problems. The need to survive has caused a level of desperation among Ethiopian women that has led to the highest prostitution rate in all of Africa. From early adolescence to those mature in age, these women end up pregnant or stricken with AIDS. Unable to care for themselves or their children, these desperate women often abandon their children wherever they can, or simply leave them in a field to die. Due to this ever increasing problem, literally thousands of children are left orphaned in the small town Outside of Addis Ababa alone. Moved by the plight of these children, New Covenant Church located in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, responded to the call to care for as many of these children as their limited resources permit.
Visit a photo gallary of trips to Ethiopia
How we are responding:
In May of 2005, Covenant Orphanage Outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was born of humble beginnings, taking in 8 children. All of the children have equally unique and tragic stories. Workey was found in a room, no larger than a closet, attempting to suckle from her mothers disease ridden body which had been dead for 4 days. At one day old, Tariku was found abandoned under a tree in a field, where children are regularly left to die, being ravaged by hyenas. The children's individual circumstances cause their needs to be unique and extensive in nature. Although space and resources are currently limited to a small number of children, the orphanage hopes to one day meet the needs for as many as 250 children.
While every child has a unique and tragic story, the orphanage is giving them a second chance at life. Not only is Covenant Orphanage helping to care for orphans, but they have since expanded and have now opened another orphanage, The Debrebirhan Orphanage, where another 12 children have been brought in from off the streets. As a member of the "family" at our orphanages each child is now receiving:
Finally, the Lord has moved us into ADOPTION and we are now seeking Loving Christian homes for these children. So far, 10 children have been or are in the process of being adopted. PRAISE GOD!!!
Short Term and Long Term Goal:
Short Term Goal:
While this is a great start, it is our hope to continue opening similar orphanages as soon as feasible and bring in even more children from off of the streets. We have plans to open a small orphanage/home housing 10-12 orphan children every 6 months as support allows until we reach our long term goal of bringing approximately 250 children into our care.
Long Term Goal:
The long term goal is to build one large orphanage/compound which houses approximately 250 children. The floor plans of this orphanage consist of small dwellings where the kids can continue to live in a family- type setting of 10-12 children. They have planned it this way as to prevent them from being lost in the crowd of children and for the purpose of being able to give each dwelling a house mom who can care, nurture and train these children in a biblical way. We also envision a medical clinic and a school. Currently, the living conditions at the orphanage are substandard and demand immediate attention. The infrastructure of the compound itself is in need of repair. The security fence, bathroom, and kitchen are also in need of significant repair to be brought to a fully functional level.
Currently, through our supporters' generosity, the conditions of the orphanages are continuing to improve drastically. They now have running water at both locations and are having a bathroom built. While there are still ongoing needs and repairs that need to be made to the facility, our main concern is still meeting the basic needs of the children. The ongoing costs of food, clothing, medical care, school, staff and rent are a constant concern. While we need the support to continue meeting these most basic needs, we still know that there are 1000's of children waiting outside the door and who are longing to come into the orphanage. The last time we visited, the orphan kids sat outside the compound for over an hour watching all the children in our orphanage play. It was a heart breaking sight, as these children have no place to go or sleep and no one to feed and care for them.
But with your help, we can change that. Will you consider joining our team to make a difference in the lives of these children as well as future children who are still waiting for a place to call home? With your help we can truly answer Gods call to care for orphans. Please click here to make an online donation now. 100% of your donation will go directly to these programs. Thank you for your generosity.
To read more about Debrebirhan orphanage click here
Joey & Destiny Le Tourneau
Learn more about Joey & Destiny Le Tourneau by clicking here.
Project Ethiopia: Covenant & Debrebirhan Orphanages:
The presence of war, famine and disease is producing extreme poverty that has plagued the Ethiopian people for decades. Unfortunately, women and children are often the most dramatically affected by these types of problems. The need to survive has caused a level of desperation among Ethiopian women that has led to the highest prostitution rate in all of Africa. From early adolescence to those mature in age, these women end up pregnant or stricken with AIDS. Unable to care for themselves or their children, these desperate women often abandon their children wherever they can, or simply leave them in a field to die. Due to this ever increasing problem, literally thousands of children are left orphaned in the small town Outside of Addis Ababa alone. Moved by the plight of these children, New Covenant Church located in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, responded to the call to care for as many of these children as their limited resources permit.
How we are responding:
In May of 2005, Covenant Orphanage Outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was born of humble beginnings, taking in 8 children. All of the children have equally unique and tragic stories. Workey was found in a room, no larger than a closet, attempting to suckle from her mothers disease ridden body which had been dead for 4 days. At one day old, Tariku was found abandoned under a tree in a field, where children are regularly left to die, being ravaged by hyenas. The children's individual circumstances cause their needs to be unique and extensive in nature. Although space and resources are currently limited to a small number of children, the orphanage hopes to one day meet the needs for as many as 250 children.
While every child has a unique and tragic story, the orphanage is giving them a second chance at life. Not only is Covenant Orphanage helping to care for orphans, but they have since expanded and have now opened another orphanage, The Debrebirhan Orphanage, where another 12 children have been brought in from off the streets. As a member of the "family" at our orphanages each child is now receiving:
- An education
- 3 meals a day
- Love & nurturing care from the orphanage staff
- Biblically based spiritual training & discipleship
- Life skills training
- A warm bed to sleep in
- A place to call home
Finally, the Lord has moved us into ADOPTION and we are now seeking Loving Christian homes for these children. So far, 10 children have been or are in the process of being adopted. PRAISE GOD!!!
Short Term and Long Term Goal:
Short Term Goal:
While this is a great start, it is our hope to continue opening similar orphanages as soon as feasible and bring in even more children from off of the streets. We have plans to open a small orphanage/home housing 10-12 orphan children every 6 months as support allows until we reach our long term goal of bringing approximately 250 children into our care.
Long Term Goal:
The long term goal is to build one large orphanage/compound which houses approximately 250 children. The floor plans of this orphanage consist of small dwellings where the kids can continue to live in a family- type setting of 10-12 children. They have planned it this way as to prevent them from being lost in the crowd of children and for the purpose of being able to give each dwelling a house mom who can care, nurture and train these children in a biblical way. We also envision a medical clinic and a school. Currently, the living conditions at the orphanage are substandard and demand immediate attention. The infrastructure of the compound itself is in need of repair. The security fence, bathroom, and kitchen are also in need of significant repair to be brought to a fully functional level.
Currently, through our supporters' generosity, the conditions of the orphanages are continuing to improve drastically. They now have running water at both locations and are having a bathroom built. While there are still ongoing needs and repairs that need to be made to the facility, our main concern is still meeting the basic needs of the children. The ongoing costs of food, clothing, medical care, school, staff and rent are a constant concern. While we need the support to continue meeting these most basic needs, we still know that there are 1000's of children waiting outside the door and who are longing to come into the orphanage. The last time we visited, the orphan kids sat outside the compound for over an hour watching all the children in our orphanage play. It was a heart breaking sight, as these children have no place to go or sleep and no one to feed and care for them.
But with your help, we can change that. Will you consider joining our team to make a difference in the lives of these children as well as future children who are still waiting for a place to call home? With your help we can truly answer Gods call to care for orphans. Please click here to make an online donation now. 100% of your donation will go directly to these programs. Thank you for your generosity.
To read more about Debrebirhan orphanage click here
Joey & Destiny Le Tourneau
Learn more about Joey & Destiny Le Tourneau by clicking here.