In December, we had the opportunity to visit our project in the Borena Zone of southern Ethiopia.
At the start of the school year, thanks to your generous support, we were able to provide 100 disadvantaged orphans with all the necessary school supplies, enabling them to attend school. These children typically live with the remaining parent or relatives. However, these relatives are unable to adequately provide for their basic needs and education. Families of orphaned children facing financial distress often cannot afford to send their children to school due to poverty. They struggle to purchase essential school supplies, which leads to children either staying at home or being forced into harsh labor.
Through the project, the children were provided with school uniforms, shoes, socks, exercise books, pens, pencils, and school bags. This initiative has played a crucial role in preventing school dropouts for 100 children and has also helped many to return to school after extended absences.
During our visit on-site we had the chance to meet the children at two schools, speak with some of them, and engage with key individuals such as the school principals and the district education officer. It was heartwarming to see the children’s gratitude and to witness the successful distribution of aid. However, we also quickly realized that much more support is still needed. Some of these children attend school irregularly, mainly because they do not have enough to eat. Hunger makes learning difficult and increases vulnerability to illness.
We would like to share one of the children’s stories with you:
Tsion* is 11 years old and lives in Moyale with her brother and sister. She has a charming smile and is sociable, but when she begins to talk about her family, her smile fades, and tears fill her eyes. Tsion’s father passed away after battling cancer for five painful years. Her nine-year-old brother has been fighting cancer for the past two years as well. The family’s financial situation is worsening every day. To afford medication for the father and brother, they had to sell their house and the small taxi they once used for their business. Currently, the only income the family receives is from the mother, who delivers water from the well to town using a donkey. Tsion worries that this physically demanding work is becoming too much for her mother, who has been falling sick more frequently.
Tsion expressed her gratitude for the support she received through the project, which provided her with school supplies. “This has been a God-sent opportunity for me to continue my education. Otherwise, I would have had to stay at home because my family couldn’t afford to send me to school,” she said. “Now, I’m happy that I can be a student, and I really enjoy going to school.” She sincerely thanked everyone who extended a helping hand and made her feel loved, which has lightened her challenging daily life. When asked what she needs to continue her education long-term, she shared that she hopes to continue receiving school supplies but also needs enough food to sustain her. Eagles’ Rise aims to support Tsion’s family, so they are able to build up a better income and provide for their basic needs.
* Name changed
Touched by our encounters on-site and the children’s stories, we returned with a strong desire to provide long-term support to these 100 children, helping them thrive and continue their education. It’s incredibly important to us that they have everything they need—whether it’s school supplies, food, or medical care. To achieve this, we aim to support the remaining families as much as possible, empowering them to cover their own needs through their own income in the long term. Our goal is to do everything we can to give these children a brighter future—one where they are independent of aid and can break free from the cycle of poverty. Will you join us?
For example, around €28 can cover the necessary school materials for a child for an entire school year.