Our family is so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful ministry. We were thrilled with the news of the new Kindergarten, as well as the additional families they have taken in recently. Having lived in Ethiopia in 2007, our family was able to see the immense need, and felt in so many ways helpless as to how to aid the wonderful mothers we daily saw begging who simply wanted a way to care and provide for their children. We were able to find Embracing Hope through they're website, view pictures of families and read their stories. We see that they are truly making an impact in extraordinary ways. From their holistic approach of family preservation to the staffing of native Ethiopians to help care for the children, it is easy to see that so much restoration is taking place from the work being done. Our family has never regretted giving to this organization and will continue to do so, and even more as we are able.
We just came back from Ethiopia recently and had the privilege of seeing Embracing Hope in action. My husband and I walked away from the visit with the Shannon's so impressed with their hearts for this ministry. They have served open handed and passionately. We will continue to support them, because the work they are doing is changing the lives of children in need, as well as, the livelihood of the mothers. The widow and the orphan.....they live out James 1:27.
"Without sponsorship through Embracing Hope Ethiopia, this child would be dead!" That is all I could think as we drove to the hospital in Addis. I watched an EHE staff member navigate the crowds of people in the hospital admission area, comfort the child's distraught mother, and get this child the medical help she needed. One month later, I returned to Ethiopia and witnessed the change in this family. "Amira" (name changed) has become healthy under the watchful eye of the EHE staff nurse. She has gained weight from eating nutritious food prepared by EHE cooks. And she is thriving mentally and emotionally under the care of EHE daycare workers. Thanks to EHE, Amira's mother is able to work during the day, knowing her child is well-cared for. Hard physical labor makes this mother look tired and older than her years, but this all changes at the end of the day. As Amira runs into her mother's arms, both faces light up with smiles of joy. This mother and daughter are together. They are supported and loved. They are learning what "Embracing Hope" means. I'm a medical missionary and have worked with charitable organizations all over the developing world. EHE stand out as an organization committed to partnering with local government, committed to excellence in all aspects of their programs, and committed to working with the poorest of the poor. There are many more women and children they can help. But they need sponsorship money to do this. I highly recommend supporting this organization.
This is a program run by people who truly and wholly believe in their cause. Additionally, they are always coming up with new and innovative ways to help (e.g. "friend a family").
I have been supporting this ministry for the last two years and was able to see the work in person as I spent 14 days in Ethiopia in December of 2011. I spent several days at the Embracing Hope Ethiopia Daycare watching the amazing care the children are provided, the loving support and encouragement the mom's are given, and the beautiful synergy of the Ethiopian and American staff as they work together to give these families totally new stories. I have seen the beaming smiles on the faces of the woman as they regain their dignity and confidence working to support their families instead of begging. The children showed marked improvement in health and development and the woman have developed a supportive community together as they see one another each day. I highly recommend supporting and volunteering with this organization. You couldn't ask for a more loving, humble and difference making group of people to get involved with.
My husband and I had the privilege of meeting with the Shannon family at Embracing Hope Ethiopia on two separate occasions. We were delighted to find that one of their in-country contacts is a man we have know and loved since 2007. This man and the Shannon family have proven themselves to be trustworthy, transparent, and genuine in their dealings with donors as well as the people they serve. We are impressed with their patience and respect for the culture in which they are ministering as they navigate all the government processes. I would not hesitate for a minute to recommend their non-profit organization to anyone who is looking to provide financial or volunteer support. The Shannons are welcoming and flexible...making people a priority.
I love this organization and their mission. They are changing lives and the future of many in Ethiopia. They are allowing families to stay together and fighting poverty every day. Praise God for Embracing Hope Ethiopia!
I have seen EHE in action. What a wonderful, welcoming place this is for children and their moms! The loved showered on moms and their kids is beautiful to see.
My son and his wife traveled to Ethiopia to bring home their lovely newly adopted daughter. While there he met the Shannons who also were adopting. The Shannons had a vision. Provide day care, nutirition and education to children so that their mothers could find work. We contribute to the support of a girl. We receive updates on our child and the overall efforts of the Shannons as they continue to build their child care center. The challenges are daunting. They are exceptional people, however. Through their faith and perseverance the children are thriving and their mothers are able to find work. I urge you to consider supporting a child or making a gift to Embracing Hope Ethiopia.
This project is doing wonderful things for the community, we know the family who runs it, and have watched them navigate helping the poor in a way that truly does good things for both the families they help, and the communities they serve in.
Embracing Hope Ethiopia does exactly that! When I was there a year ago it was obvious that what they do is working and they love doing it. They do an excellent job of providing child care for babies and toddlers including laps, meals, and medical attention so the mommas can spend the morning and afternoon hours working. So now they can pay rent and buy enough food. These ladies have been widowed or abandoned with no skills or family, now they've created their own community with each other! I sponsor an abandoned mom who was living in a tiny lean-to behind someone else's house with her baby. Now that Momma can work knowing Baby is safe, they've been able to move to a better place AND pay the rent. It's obvious from their update pictures that both are healthier (they're both eating now!). Embracing Hope Ethiopia fills a huge gap for children and families in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I will be visiting them again in a few months-this time bringing along 17 others from my town- to determine how we can support them on a long term basis.
June of 2012 me and 14 other women went to Ethiopia for a 12 day missions trip. While there we visited Embracing Hope and spent some time learning about the organization and spending time with the children. After spending time there they are doing exactly what their title says "embracing hope". They are giving purpose back to women who where hopeless and struggling to provide for their children. I especially loved seeing this ministry providing a solution to the problem instead of masking it. The heart of this family mimics the heart of the heavenly father.
I had the privledge of visiting Embracing Hope recently in May. The work that they are doing is incredible. Their desire to stop the orphan cycle by providing child care so that mothers can work and provide for their families is a beautiful thing. They have a contagious passion to see the city of Addis Ababa changed. I was so impressed by their standard of integrity and character, and that they are educating the mothers there to live their lives in the same way. Their care and concern for the children is evident, and it's demonstrated in so many ways. Not only do they provide free childcare while the children are at the facility, but they are also working to educate them.
Embracing Hope Ethiopia is doing absolutely amazing things in a place of both extreme poverty and unbelievable joy. Women are able to improve their living conditions while their kids get better nutrition, education, positive socialization, and love. The women also build community amongst themselves. Most importantly, families are able to stay together. I've been blessed to be able see some of this work first hand and can tell you this organization is the real deal.
I have visited Embracing Hope Ethiopia in person recently and was very impressed with the work they are doing. The dedication to growth in a difficult business and non-profit climate, and commitment to the children and mothers that they serve is evident in every detail. Their communication to the public and donors is regular and honest, which I believe is an important part of connecting others with their work.
I met Jerry and and Christy Shannon while I was in Ethiopia and had the privilege of touring their day care center before it was even opened. The work they are doing is amazing! Such growth has already been seen in the women and children they assist in such a short amount of time. I was able to be part of a group of donors to bless them with cloth diapers. I wouldn't hesitate to give again as the ministry is effective and growth producing. I consistently recommend to my friends and family to give to Embracing Hope Ethiopia. Lives are being changed. Praise God!