Every Donation Helps Bring Hope Through Sport

A generous donation of 162 Olympic-standard judo mats from the International Judo Federation (IJF) is waiting to reach hundreds of children and young people in Ethiopia.

These mats are not for sale. They were donated to help young athletes train safely, reduce injuries, and give them the opportunity to pursue their dreams from local competitions to the Olympic Games as well as for, kids, girls and females to learn self defence.

Today, however, this humanitarian donation remains trapped by logistical and administrative delays. Without immediate support, there is a real risk that these donated mats could be auctioned before they ever reach the children they were intended to serve.

The Story Behind the Donation

The International Judo Federation has already gone far beyond its original donation by contributing USD 11,182 toward shipping, storage, and demurrage costs to help bring these mats to Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Government has also recognized the importance of this project. The Minister of Finance personally approved a customs duty exemption, and the initiative has received support from the Mayor of Dire Dawa, the Regional Sports Commission, the Ethiopian Diaspora Service, and civil society organizations.

The association has fulfilled every requirement requested of us. It completed customs procedures, secured the necessary approvals, and paid approximately ETB 75,000 in local customs, transit, and administrative fees.

Despite these efforts, the shipment experienced significant logistical and administrative delays beyond our control. The original shipping documents arrived months after the shipment itself, creating storage costs that continued to accumulate. Additional complications involving shipping and clearance procedures further delayed the release process.

As a result, approximately USD 6,000 is still needed to secure the release of the shipment and finally deliver these mats to the children and athletes who have been waiting for them.

Why This Matters

The Ethiopian Judo is a small, volunteer-run, non-profit assocation with no administrative budget. It simply do not has the financial resources to cover these unexpected costs on our own.

For many young athletes, these mats represent much more than sports equipment. They provide a safe training environment, reduce the risk of serious injuries, and create opportunities for personal growth, discipline, education, inclusion, and healthy lifestyles.

Without these mats, many children continue training on hard or unsuitable surfaces that increase the risk of injury and limit their ability to develop their skills.

How Your Donation Helps

Your contribution will help:

• Release 162 Olympic-quality judo mats.

• Provide a safe training environment for hundreds of children and young people.

• Reduce injuries caused by training on unsuitable surfaces.

• Support youth development, education, inclusion, and healthy lifestyles.

• Give talented Ethiopian athletes a fair opportunity to compete nationally, internationally, and one day at the Olympic Games.

Every Contribution Makes a Difference

No donation is too small. Every dollar brings us one step closer to securing the release of this shipment and ensuring that these mats reach the young people who need them.

Together, we can ensure that this extraordinary humanitarian gift reaches a training hall not an auction house and gives hundreds of Ethiopian children and young athletes the opportunity to train safely, grow in confidence, and pursue their dreams.

Please donate today and share this campaign with your family, friends, sports clubs, and communities around the world.

Thank you for standing with Ethiopia's children and helping them build a brighter future through sport.