Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

My name is Getachew, and I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart and hope for a better future. I used to work as a tour guide in Ethiopia, supporting my extended family. Unfortunately, our lives have been completely changed by circumstances beyond our control.

First, the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the tourism industry, leaving me and many others without work. Then, conflict began in the Tigray region and spread, sparking ethnic-based violence over the past two years. These cascading crises have made it impossible for me to work and provide for my family. I have done my best to survive and care for my loved ones, and I am deeply grateful to compassionate people who have helped us so far.

However, the dangers have only grown. The government is now forcing civilians to become soldiers. Both my younger brothers have been drafted, and I was the only one left to care for our extended family—16 people, including my children. When I refused to enlist, I was imprisoned for a month. Now, I am being threatened again. For the safety of my family and myself, I fled to Addis Ababa, leaving my children behind in tears, unable to bring them with me.

Every day is a struggle to survive here. Finding food and shelter is difficult. I am fighting not just for myself, but for my children, my family, and their future.

I am asking for your kindness to help me build a sustainable future for all of us. I want to start a small bakery business in Addis Ababa—a business that can feed my family, create jobs, and send children to school. Bread is a daily need for everyone, and this bakery can serve local families as well as hotels and restaurants. With your support, we can rent a space, buy equipment, and purchase the first supplies to begin baking and selling bread.

Our funding needs:

Why This Means So Much

This bakery could support 16 family members, including children, elders, and others facing hunger. It will keep children in school, offer jobs, and provide basic food to many people in the community.

Even small donations will make a huge difference.

You will help us survive, reunite our family, and build a business that empowers us and others in need.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story and helping us. Your humanity gives us hope and a real chance at a new beginning.

With deep gratitude,

Getachew & Family