NEWS FROM ETHIOPIAN IMPACT – COVID-19 UPDATE from Youth Impact
Hiwotu reports: The situation in Ethiopia is no different than in most other countries. So far, there are more than 120 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, and people are fearful. Following the government’s order to close schools and similar places where children gather, Youth Impact also has closed its centers, with the exception of the residential center, Hope House. In response, Youth Impact has developed a response plan. The plan includes:
- Continuing in the service of giving hope to children. The children served by Youth Impact have a number of reasons to lose hope in life, and leaving them without service for an indefinite period of time is discouraging. So, services are being continued in different ways. A few children are being allowed into the centers at a time, four in the morning and another four in the afternoon, for a total of eight children per day. Staff continues to take the maximum possible care of these children. Children wash their hands at the gates and wear face masks. The compound and materials used are cleaned on a regular basis. After cleaning up, the children meet their mentors, receive counseling, wash their bodies and clothes, and have lunch. They also take books to read while staying at home. This way, every child is allowed to come to his or her center once a week, so staff is enabled to stay connected to the children and keep tabs on their situations and how they are doing.
- As things have slowed down, people have been unable to work and support their families adequately, especially the families served by Youth Impact; problems have become severe. Therefore, until the situation improves, the staff at Youth Impact has decided to make monthly donations of two basic items (3 liter of oil and 5 kg of flour) to the families of the children they serve. In principle, these donations are made to support the children’s needs in these families. Youth Impact continues to try to mobilize volunteers and keep awareness high of their efforts in the local communities. University students are a great help in this regard. They are working to prepare printable materials to be distributed to the community about Coronavirus. The boys at Hope House also are doing well. They continue to go to work, but also take the maximum possible care to stay safe.
Hiwotu shares vision and mission at Shalom Center Celebration
About the Library
Youth Impact has been in search of a new location, and a new space has been found! The space will be adequate but needs rehabilitation. The owner of the building has donated most of the resources required for the rehab of the space. Renovation of the compound has begun and will be finished in a couple of weeks
Organizing books at The Library
UPDATE FROM ETHIOPIAN IMPACT – FEBRUARY VISION TRIP
The Ethiopian Impact board traveled from Kentucky to Ethiopia from February 15-21, 2020 to hold its board meeting on-site in Addis Ababa. Ten additional travelers joined the group on the ground to see the work being done and the efforts being supported. The trip was a huge success! It was a joy to spend time with the Youth Impact director and all the workers in the program, as well as to meet and spend time with the students. The team of teachers and support staff at Youth Impact provides a safe haven for the local children in three locations in Addis Ababa. The children consider Youth Impact a home away from home and arrive eagerly each day to receive a meal, tutoring, mentoring, and love from these beloved staff members. The impact they are having on the lives of these children is beyond measure.
Ethiopian Impact Board of Directors and Youth Impact Staff
Beauty at the Hope Center
Mission Trip February 2020
In addition to visiting the Youth Impact facilities, the group visited Meklit Development Association for Women and Children, which serves young children of single mothers while they go to work, allowing them to earn a living and support themselves and their children. Ethiopian Impact entered into a partnership agreement with Meklit in December of 2019 to subsidize the work they are doing in support of these mothers and their children.
Lunch served at The Library during February Mission Trip
Children love Abraham… everywhere he goes. This is one of the children in the Meklit ministry
NEW ADDITION TO THE FISEHA FAMILY
We are pleased to announce the birth of the first grandchild of our Youth Impact founder, Abraham Fiseha, and his wife, Salem. Their daughter, Melat, and her husband, Luke, welcomed a baby boy named Yohannes on March 28, 2020. They are enjoyed their time in Texas with their new grandson. They are now in Canada visiting their sons while they wait until they can travel to Ethiopia in a few weeks. Please keep them in your prayers during this unexpected and extended time away from their home in Addis.
First Grandchild of Abraham and Salem
When considering your giving during this unusual time of worldwide upheaval, please remember Ethiopian Impact. Your support, no matter the amount, makes a difference in the lives of young people in Ethiopia and is needed now more than ever.
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