In the midst of all the conflicting headlines you see each day, you’ve probably heard about the East Africa hunger crisis. Here are a few basic facts about drought, famine, malnutrition, and hunger in Africa as well as how you can help World Vision respond.
Why World Vision is in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s economy is currently the third fastest-growing in the world. This progress is marred, however, by ongoing violence between ethnic groups. By mid-2017, a 10-month state of emergency had left thousands of people displaced from their homes. These displaced families and the communities who hosted them were supported by your generous gifts, as we provided relief through safe drinking water, hygiene kits, education, and economic opportunities. Growing existing programs through new partnerships will benefit 20 million children by 2020. Sponsorship communities are creating lasting change with kids benefiting from safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. They’re also sharing good practices of hygiene instruction. In response to the devastating drought affecting East Africa, our food security programs are bringing greater nutrition to the most vulnerable so families don’t have to wonder where their next meal will come from. Educational programs are increasing literacy, promoting better quality education, and giving youth ways to think creatively about their own future goals. By strengthening families and helping parents focus on character-building for their kids, we’re encouraging loving homes and a positive upbringing. Together, we’re empowering children to be agents of transformation in their communities.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Ethiopia ❯
Progress in Ethiopia
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Communities in Ethiopia are being empowered to better protect children by educating children, parents, and community leaders on child rights and how to respond to child protection violations. Child protection committees come together and become strengthened to work closely with faith leaders and equip them to use their influence to protect children against harmful practices, like early marriage, and promote protective acts, like registering children at birth.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Through a collaboration with partners in Ethiopia, new water sources for communities and schools were built and existing water sources were either expanded or rehabilitated. The capacity of WASH committees was also expanded in order to maintain these water sources over time. They also helped to expand access to sanitation facilities and teach children safe hygiene practices like hand washing.
- Mother-to-mother groups were formed in Ethiopia, empowering mothers to prepare nutritious meals from locally available foods and use local solutions to reduce malnutrition through the PD-Hearth and Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition methods. Caregivers in Ethiopia were also equipped to carry out 'Nutrition-smart agriculture' by forming groups and received training, seeds, and basic tools so that they can grow more nutritious foods to support the health of their families.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Literacy skills in Ethiopia are being improved by implementing Literacy Boost*. They trained teachers in literacy instruction methodology, and many of these teachers were also equipped to share the knowledge they gained with other teachers in their schools. Community members were also mobilized to start and maintain village-based reading camps with volunteer facilitators and reading materials for children. *Literacy Boost is a copyrighted tool designed, developed, and owned by Save the Children.
- Early Childhood Development centers in Ethiopia were established and strengthened to enhance comprehensive development of children age 3-6 and also worked to improve parents’ skills in supporting their children's development at this stage.
Prayer Requests from Ethiopia
World Vision's staff in Ethiopia are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Unity and commitment among our staff to continue transforming our culture.
Alignment to carry out integrated and effective programs for transformation.
News from Ethiopia
From the Field
1980s Ethiopia famine: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
The Ethiopia famine from 1983 to 1985, one of the 20th century’s worst famines, led to an outpouring of concern and donations from around the globe as well as new monitoring and alerts to prevent future famines.
Prayers
Matthew 25: Pray for the thirsty
844 million people around the world don’t have access to clean water; that’s more than 1 of every 10 people around the world. Join us in prayer for children and families who are thirsty and lack this most basic necessity.
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