After her parents died, Tigist moved to Addis Ababa to live with her older sister. As a day laborer with children of her own, her sister was unable to provide for her. At age 5, Tigist was about to go live on the street when she was sponsored. For the next 15 years, Tigist found the support and stability she needed in the program.
Before graduating in 2021, she took classes to become a daycare worker. Her sponsorship allowed her to finish her training and covered the expenses for her diploma. Today, she is married and has two children. She works at a daycare center to provide for her family. The staff say that she and her husband have become a good example for her peers and kids in the program.
Mahilet was sponsored when she was 4. In 2022, she graduated with a degree in English Language and Literature. During college, the program added a little pocket money and a graduation dress to her regular support. Today, she teaches English at a governmental school and is studying for a social work degree at night. In the summer, she volunteers as a VBS teacher and tutor. Mahilet says, “Most importantly, during sponsorship, I decided to follow Jesus. The lessons and the Word of God I learned stuck with me. They did not remain in theory. I experienced them in my life and God helped me get through the challenges I faced. In Sunday School, I was always encouraged to present in front of my peers, and it helped me develop my communication skills. It helps me teach my students today.” Our program director Rahel adds, “It is a blessing to serve children like her. It encourages us and gives us energy.”
At 8 years old, Kumelachew was one of the first children sponsored. He lived alone with his mother. After she passed away in 2015, he started living with his sister. The team spent a lot of time helping him grieve and encouraging him to not drop out of school. They purposefully involved him in classes and trainings and had many individual conversations to help him understand and avoid the different addictions that he was exposed to in his neighborhood. The sponsorship program helped him get a driver’s license.
He became a taxi driver and graduated in 2020. Today, he is married. He has become a man of good character and habits and stays in touch thanks to the strong relationships built during his sponsorship.
Would you like to make a difference in a child’s life? If you or someone you know would like to change a child’s life for $40/month, please contact us at sponsorship@hopeinview.org or go to www.hopeinview.org/sponsorship