An overwhelming darkness of
hopelessness had overtaken Mohammed Mekele. For eight years
after completing 12th grade
in Addis Ababa he was unable to find
employment. Even though Mohammed was well into his twenties, he
still lived at an orphanage. With no skills and no training,
there was little hope of him ever becoming self-sufficient.
This is a common plight of orphans
in Ethiopia. It was even more pronounced for Mohammed because he
is blind. His depression and desperation took him to thoughts of
suicide.
But recently Mohammed felt the
darkness lift from his spirit. He received an opportunity
provided by a new Children?s Hope program in Ethiopia that funds
skills training for older and disabled orphans.
Working with 38 older orphans from
the Kolfe Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center and 31 orphans
with disabilities from the Kolfe Keranion Orphanage, Children?s
Hope is providing educational support that is necessary for
these young adults to move on with hope.
?This has inspired me to live
with love and hope?
They are now in training to become
skilled hair dressers and taxi drivers or taking classes on cell
phone or computer maintenance. In addition to their
education,
the students receive counseling support that will prepare them
to live outside the orphanage.
For $500 you can make a lifelong
impact on one older Ethiopian orphan.
Older Orphan Skills
Training It is $350 to provide training to an orphan with
disabilities.
Skills Training for Disabled Orphans
?I don?t have words powerful enough
to explain my gratitude to Children?s Hope. This has inspired me
to live with love and hope,? said Mohammed Mekele.
Mohammed was recently admitted to
Royal College to become a law clerk, with the desire to someday
become a lawyer. Children?s Hope provides him with all the
necessary educational materials including a stylus slate and
Braille, tape recorder, a new walking cane and even a watch so
he can get to classes on time.
Through the Ethiopian Older Orphans
Skills Training, Mohammed now knows he has value. He has hope
for the future.
2008 Children's Hope International.
All rights reserved.