Project Ethiopia works with small rural villages in Ethiopia. Elementary schools are provided with safe water (a well), a latrine, uniforms, benches, blackboards, sports equipment, and books.
With children, there is the greatest impact on health, preparing for life with an education, and on teaching new hygiene habits. Working with a school provides a responsible party to maintain and supervise the finished projects.
Next , Project Ethiopia works with the village to get safe water, concrete floors in the mud-straw homes, home latrines, and improved farming implements.
All villages except the first village are within walking distance of each other, near the town of Dangla. With villages so close together, the knowledge of hygiene, sanitation, plumbing skills, cement skills, etc. will build and spread. Projects are decided on after discussion with the school and input from the community.
Dennis and Judy raise money for the projects with the help of the Interfaith Community Church in Seattle. Awoke and Workineh make plans with villages. Workineh and his associate, Dagne, buy all the materials for the projects locally which helps area businesses. Jobs are created. Project Ethiopia hires villagers as well-diggers, plumbers, masons, cement workers, carpenters, mule-cart drivers, etc.
Awoke and Workineh monitor progress on the projects and send all receipts and photos to Seattle.
Project Ethiopia thrives because of the generous donations of time, talents, and money. Volunteers at home include engineers, a doctor, educators, book donors, sport coaches, an organizer of children's gifts of uniforms, and many others. It is important to be a volunteer organization and not a non-government organization. Other Ethiopians, when made aware of Judy, and Dennis' volunteering, have taken part of their profit in "satisfaction" - thus getting fair wages, but not excessive profit which many expect from non-government organizations. This way the money builds village economy broadly.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" -
Nelson Mandela
When spiders unite they can tie up a lion
- Ethiopian proverb
100% of donations benefit Ehtiopian children and their families
Project Ethiopia has 501(c)(3) status
Judy & Dennis pay for all administrative and travel costs.
We buy local & hire local to benefit local economy
For as little as 7 pennies, you can help!
Project Ethiopia c/o Interfaith Community Church 1763 NW 62nd Street, Seattle, WA 98107
Project Ethiopia has 501(c)(3) status so US donations are tax deductible.
A "thank you" ceremony
Dennis and villagers placing a marker for a latrine trench