The Children and Youth at Risk Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is in transition. With insufficient donations over a period of six months, the program reached a financial crisis and had to appeal to supporters for prayers and donations.

While additional support has ensured that the program will continue, a limited budget has forced the program to dismiss several staff. The financial crisis has also limited the amount of assistance that the program is able to provide to families.

Bethlehem and Yared's Story

After their father's death, Bethlehem, her brother Yared, and her half-sister lived with their grandmother in a two-roomed house provided by the government. Their income was sufficient to buy food and pay the subsidised rent, but not enough to pay school fees for the youngest children.

The Children and Youth at Risk Program staff provided them with school fees and supplies, uniforms and shoes. When the price of food increased dramatically, the project also helped the family to buy wheat for a time.

Due to the shortage of funds over past months, the program has had to reduce their level of support for the family, and the children have been forced to rent out their second room. (Their grandmother has since died.)

Like their father, Bethlehem and Yared are Christians. They are grateful to the community for the love and care they have received since their parents’ deaths and for the help from the Children and Youth at Risk Program, which has given them hope and support in the midst of very difficult days.

Pray

• for God to provide ongoing funding for the program.
• for Daniel, the only Ethiopian social worker left on staff as he carries a heavy load of responsibility.
• for the missionary staff who also will be picking up extra work with the reduction of paid social workers.

Give