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Selam beautiful people around the world!
My name is Almaz and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to Winnipeg at the end of 2005. Have you ever heard of the phrase "you can take the girl out of Ethiopia, but you can't take Ethiopia out of the girl?" Yes, that's me! Almost 14 years later in Canada, Ethiopia still holds a very special place in my heart and I am proud to have come from such a rich culture and a beautiful country. While growing up in Ethiopia, it is evident that poverty was and still is one of the many issues in Ethiopia. My grandparents raised me and they tried their best to give me a good quality of life. I was grateful for my grandparents because some of my friends who were orphans had to pick up the worst form of labour and panhandling to make a living on the streets at the age of 8. In Canada, that's the age when most kids start grade 3! Can you imagine starting your early life experiences on street? Unfortunately this is a reality for over 10 000 children that are roaming throughout Ethiopia's streets to survive!
Poverty doesn't only affect a group of people, its affects the wellbeing of the whole nation. If you are familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the bottom one focuses on physiological needs. The biological requirements for human survival include food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, and sleep. We all deserve to be nurtured, loved and protected regardless of life circumstances however according to UNICEF 22, 000 children die each day because they lack their fundamental needs. Some of us that were nurtured and brought up by our family are still scared to navigate life as adults on our own even with life skills that were passed down to us by our parents. Kids that live on the streets don’t have that opportunity and their right to be a child is taken away from them. At an early age, these kids living in a desperate existence have to learn survival skills on the street. They miss out on their rights to education as they roam the streets to make a living. They are exposed to various forms of human violations. Study shows that: streets kids are more vulnerable to sexual and physical exploitation on a daily basis. In Ethiopia, these street kids are often criminalized and frowned upon for merely begging to survive! Over the past years, the street kids are rapidly increasing and have become abandoned by the society, as they receive no state support.
Despite their life circumstance they’ve demonstrated so much resilience in the face of poverty. You see strengths that are so powerful in their eyes. When I went to visit back in 2010, every street corner I turned to, I saw a child that was working and living life in relentless pursuit to become better without any complaint. They provide a much deeper meaning to Tupac's "Flower that grew from the concrete." You can see them hassling at every corner street; whether they're shoe-shining, selling newspaper or picking up hard labour, they're always trying to find the crevasses to grow. Their motivations in life does more than inspire, it awakens your humanity!
There are non- profit organizations throughout Ethiopia that works closely with children that are orphans to protect their basic human rights and break the cycle of poverty. With so many necessities that arise with these non-profit organizations, my friend Tatenda and I have taken the initiative to assist a devout man with a heart moving story and determined spirit for change. The Testimony Feeding Centre is a non-profit organization that was founded by a young man named Gadisa Birhanu. He was an orphan and when opportunity was given to him to turn his life around, he turned his trails into testimonies to touch so many hearts. Gadisa planted orphanages in two different part of Ethiopia that has been wells of hope for the children. Gadisa now has dedicated his life to more than 50 children who call him "papa" in these 2 orphanages. One of his primary visions is to provide the children their basic needs to grow and fulfil their full God given potentials. He passionately uses his upbringing experiences on the street as a driving force to help promote and encourage others to take action against the orphan crises in Ethiopia. The former Ethiopian president Gash Girma has recognized his humanitarian work.
To provide a sustainable and an environment that has a sense of belonging for these children, the centres’ are always in need of support. The financial support plays a role in the housing, food, clothing, healthcare and education and overall contributing good quality of life for the children. The goal of this GoFundMe is to help support the Feeding Centre organizations' mission in providing the basic fundamental needs to the most valuable and marginalized people in the country. Proceeds will be targeted towards clothing and more long-term developments plans namely establishing a library acquiring reading and educational materials to make a long lasting effect for the children in these orphanages. Any assistance will go a long way and would be greatly appreciated.
Please visit The Testimony Feeding Centre Facebook page to see their amazing impact and for future updates.
Luke 6:38
My name is Almaz and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was born and raised in Ethiopia and moved to Winnipeg at the end of 2005. Have you ever heard of the phrase "you can take the girl out of Ethiopia, but you can't take Ethiopia out of the girl?" Yes, that's me! Almost 14 years later in Canada, Ethiopia still holds a very special place in my heart and I am proud to have come from such a rich culture and a beautiful country. While growing up in Ethiopia, it is evident that poverty was and still is one of the many issues in Ethiopia. My grandparents raised me and they tried their best to give me a good quality of life. I was grateful for my grandparents because some of my friends who were orphans had to pick up the worst form of labour and panhandling to make a living on the streets at the age of 8. In Canada, that's the age when most kids start grade 3! Can you imagine starting your early life experiences on street? Unfortunately this is a reality for over 10 000 children that are roaming throughout Ethiopia's streets to survive!
Poverty doesn't only affect a group of people, its affects the wellbeing of the whole nation. If you are familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the bottom one focuses on physiological needs. The biological requirements for human survival include food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, and sleep. We all deserve to be nurtured, loved and protected regardless of life circumstances however according to UNICEF 22, 000 children die each day because they lack their fundamental needs. Some of us that were nurtured and brought up by our family are still scared to navigate life as adults on our own even with life skills that were passed down to us by our parents. Kids that live on the streets don’t have that opportunity and their right to be a child is taken away from them. At an early age, these kids living in a desperate existence have to learn survival skills on the street. They miss out on their rights to education as they roam the streets to make a living. They are exposed to various forms of human violations. Study shows that: streets kids are more vulnerable to sexual and physical exploitation on a daily basis. In Ethiopia, these street kids are often criminalized and frowned upon for merely begging to survive! Over the past years, the street kids are rapidly increasing and have become abandoned by the society, as they receive no state support.
Despite their life circumstance they’ve demonstrated so much resilience in the face of poverty. You see strengths that are so powerful in their eyes. When I went to visit back in 2010, every street corner I turned to, I saw a child that was working and living life in relentless pursuit to become better without any complaint. They provide a much deeper meaning to Tupac's "Flower that grew from the concrete." You can see them hassling at every corner street; whether they're shoe-shining, selling newspaper or picking up hard labour, they're always trying to find the crevasses to grow. Their motivations in life does more than inspire, it awakens your humanity!
There are non- profit organizations throughout Ethiopia that works closely with children that are orphans to protect their basic human rights and break the cycle of poverty. With so many necessities that arise with these non-profit organizations, my friend Tatenda and I have taken the initiative to assist a devout man with a heart moving story and determined spirit for change. The Testimony Feeding Centre is a non-profit organization that was founded by a young man named Gadisa Birhanu. He was an orphan and when opportunity was given to him to turn his life around, he turned his trails into testimonies to touch so many hearts. Gadisa planted orphanages in two different part of Ethiopia that has been wells of hope for the children. Gadisa now has dedicated his life to more than 50 children who call him "papa" in these 2 orphanages. One of his primary visions is to provide the children their basic needs to grow and fulfil their full God given potentials. He passionately uses his upbringing experiences on the street as a driving force to help promote and encourage others to take action against the orphan crises in Ethiopia. The former Ethiopian president Gash Girma has recognized his humanitarian work.
To provide a sustainable and an environment that has a sense of belonging for these children, the centres’ are always in need of support. The financial support plays a role in the housing, food, clothing, healthcare and education and overall contributing good quality of life for the children. The goal of this GoFundMe is to help support the Feeding Centre organizations' mission in providing the basic fundamental needs to the most valuable and marginalized people in the country. Proceeds will be targeted towards clothing and more long-term developments plans namely establishing a library acquiring reading and educational materials to make a long lasting effect for the children in these orphanages. Any assistance will go a long way and would be greatly appreciated.
Please visit The Testimony Feeding Centre Facebook page to see their amazing impact and for future updates.
Luke 6:38