These women are the small business owners in our micro-loan program and the backbone of our community. They're the mothers, aunts, sisters, neighbors, and caregivers to our students.

They lost their source of income due to the State of Emergency declared in Ethiopia. This was their household's lifeline to food, shelter, and healthcare. If we see loss of life in our community, as so many have in the developed world, we risk facing an orphan crisis.

​We need your help today to keep their households as healthy as possible during the Covid outbreak in Ethiopia.

On Monday, March 16, schools closed temporarily in Ethiopia, as did our training center which was not unexpected. We had already begun preparing our students, their caregivers, and staff for what their new normal may look like as the Coronavirus would inevitably reach Ethiopia.
Staff is now working from home, and all beneficiaries (Training for Tomorrow students, college students + micro-loan recipients) have a line of communication to their assigned staff member.

Before girls were under Stay at Home orders, they were already phoning their staff team leaders, asking how to get involved and help their community.

​With a simple yet powerful punch, and safety measures in place, students created Tesfa signs ('hope' in Amharic). Handmade messages of hope drawn in Ethiopian flag colors are now proudly displayed!
The empathy and proactive measures of these young women in such a time of uncertainty speak volumes for the future impact they'll bring to their communities.

Our sewing lab relocated to the front yard to safely prepare 1,000 masks for frontline workers in Ethiopia's hospitals.

​In response to the government's plea for charities to assist citizens where possible, we jumped in and proceeded with astute safety measures in place.

We're so touched by our students' reactions to get involved. It's been overwhelming.
Each student has an assigned social worker to maintain regular communication during this uncertain time, and they've been calling to ask how they can help. We'll have more news soon on how the girls are sharing messages of hope in their community.
Mask delivery will be carried out by local officials next week.