Child tempted to quit school due to lack of money and food: will you help this family?

 

Alemayehu Abera is an 11 year old boy living with his 2 sisters named Emebet and Asegedech, 1 brother named Getahun, and his mom. He is currently not sponsored. He is a grade 4 student at BCI and he aspires to be a scientist.

Emebet Abera is 13 years old and is in the BCI program. She is a grade 7 student and she has a sponsor. Asegedech Abera is 15 years old and she is a grade 10 student enrolled in government school and is not in the BCI program. Getahun Abera is 14 years old and in grade 9. He is doing well in school, is not in the BCI program and he also attends a government school. He wants to be a doctor.

Alemnesh Degefa is their mom. She is 35 yrs old and she does not work because of her health. She has an eye and heart problem. Her husband passed away years ago after a construction accident as he fell from a pole and died.

They have no water access near their home. They have to travel distances to fetch it. Because the older girl fell and broke her arm trying to carry it herself, a missionary bought the family a donkey to help carry it. They have no income and the family waits on monthly donations.  Another missionary also purchased chickens for additional food and income, however, three of those chickens recently died. 

 

The above picture is part of the family's property.  The traditional hut you see serves as their barn for the donkey and chickens as hyena roam the area at night.  To the right of the hut is their very small garden which allows for some food but the weather can sometimes affect whether it grows.

Current needs aside from sponsorship include uniforms for Getahun as he does not have any uniforms for school. It is Ethiopian law that every student wear a uniform in school. It cost around 450 birr ($23 USD) for 2 uniforms for him.

They need prayers and action. The older kid is not wanting to go to school because they send him away without a uniform and his family does not have money for food. They only get 12 packets of rice monthly and when they are out, they are out. Alemnesh strongly asked that we encourage her children to continue school regardless of their current situation because she knows the power behind an education. 

This family is in desperate need of assistance. If you can sponsor Alemayehu, visit www.blessingthechildren.org/donate to set up your monthly donation.