Hope for the Hopeless

Imagine living in your closet.

Now, imagine your closet is made of plastic tarps and bamboo and sits in one of the most dangerous, poverty-stricken slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where crime is rampant and life is a daily struggle.

That’s the reality for 22-year-old Genet and her five-year-old son Biniam. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel for this single mother and her son thanks to our Women’s Empowerment Program and Children’s Feeding Initiative in this African country. Genet graduated the Women’s Empowerment Program just two weeks ago and has begun the path to stating her own tea and coffee business to provide for herself and Beniam.

Standing in her plastic hut, Genet pulls out a small identification card with a picture of Beniam and shows it to Genet Abay, Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment Program Coordinator in Ethiopia.

“It’s hard to live here in these conditions and I’ve had to accept it because I am very poor but I have to change for him,” she says, pointing to his picture. “I won’t accept it anymore and thanks to Convoy of Hope, I am planning on changing my life. My transformation has begun for my son.”

“Ah, I have some more good news for you,” Abay responds quickly. “Beniam is being enrolled in our Children’s Feeding Initiative today at school and now he will always have lunch at school.”

Genet looks up at Abay seeking confirmation as her eyes become watery while smiling at the same time.

“I am touched,” she says. “He’s been coming home from school in tears because he would have nothing to eat at lunch. I had nothing to send with him. Now, he will be so happy.”

Genet accompanies our team to the school, brimming with excitement to see Beniam eat a healthy meal there for the first time. She sits with him as he scoops up spoonfuls of pasta and her pride is unmistakable.

“This is why Convoy of Hope is here,” says Abay, watching them closely. “Today, their future is brighter than it’s ever been.”

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