Finding Hope In Korah

As many of you know, the Ethiopian government recently shut down the city’s trash dump and relocated it outside of the city. Though it’s hard to fathom, this relocation has impacted thousands of people who relied on the dump for food or recyclable materials. Many are now begging. The amount of hardship that these people have endured, in addition to their already difficult circumstances, is devastating. 

Our ministry leader in Korah, Tesfaye, said that he has never faced anything like this in all his years of ministry. He told us that the day it shut down, he had families lined up at his gate  pleading for help.

But we believe that there is always hope. Focusing on the problem in it’s entirety makes it seem too difficult to make a difference, but when we focus on one life at a time, we begin to see light in the midst of the darkness. We begin to see real people and real lives. As a result, we start to see change.

Since hearing about the relocation two weeks ago, we have been able to meet many immediate needs through Tesfaye’s ministry through a relief fund and through sponsorship. Within one week, 48 families that were directly affected by the closing of the dump received enough wheat, macaroni, oil and soap to sustain them for the next few months. Our field director and a few of our team members were able to be there and assist with distribution.

Of those 48 families assisted, we have been able to place the 22 families pictured below with sponsors that will support their needs monthly. 

Focusing on changing the world one life at a time is not just a good strategy, it is the ONLY strategy. Among the thousands are mothers that want to feed their children, boys that want to go to school, girls that want a place to call home, and people that want a hope and a future. Through your support, hope was found in Korah for countless lives.

When families that survive from day to day because of a trash dump have that taken away from them, it’s hard for us to understand how good could come from such hardship and despair. But God sees the whole picture. He knew that in fact these very lives would now be able to see a future past the dump. We are lucky to play a part in these beautiful people’s lives. They matter to us, and they matter to God. 

We are still looking to match remaining families with sponsors. If you would like to become a sponsor for one of the remaining families needing immediate assistance in Korah, please email kblevins@ordinaryhero.org. Among the waiting families is the one pictured below, featuring 10 year old Brikayu and her family.

Brikayu Menayu is 10 years old and lives with her mother and 2 little brothers, Mabratu, 5 years old, and Melkam, 11 months old. Brikayu never started school because they were unable to afford it. With sponsorship, she will be able to begin in the fall.

She says some of her favorite things are: playing on swings with her friends, eating noodles, and the color green.

Brikayu's mother is 27 year old Adadet Shetu. She worked in the trash dump prior to its closing but is now begging at night. Medically, she reports having a history of epilepsy but the children are all healthy.

Email kblevins@ordinaryhero.org to sponsor Brikayu and her family today.

#ChangeTheWorldForOne