Ethiopia

Ethiopia flag

Selami / Hello from Ethiopia

Language: Amharic

Ethiopia is steeped in rich traditions and dynamic landscapes. It also experiences extremes in climate and has limited educational opportunities. Compassion-assisted children experience these realities daily. But at the Compassion center, there is hope.

Ethiopia Stats

POPULATION: 120,283,026
43.5% Ethiopian Orthodox
33.9% Muslim
18.6% Protestant
2.6% Traditional

136,045
CHILDREN SERVED

588
CHURCHES SERVING

30
YEARS SERVING

A boy laughing while carrying a water jug on his head

A boy laughs while carrying a bucket of water on his head.

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A boy wearing a red shirt smiling

A child smiles in front of a brick wall.

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A young man teaching boys in a woodworking class

A young man, formerly in the child development program, teaches younger boys about the skill of woodworking.

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Children playing soccer

A group of boys play soccer on a dusty field.

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A young boy celebrating his transition into the Child Sponsorship Program

A young boy smiles as he transitions into the Compassion Child Sponsorship Program.

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Children happily engage in the classroom

Children happily engage in the classroom.

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A group of women and their children being served a meal

A group of women and their children wait to receive a meal.

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A girl wearing a pink dress standing in front of a shade tree

A young girl holding flowers stands in the shade of a tree.

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A group of women wearing choir robes during a worship service

Young women praise God at a worship service.

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Young teens participate in camp activities

Young teens participate in camp activities.

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5 FACTS ABOUT ETHIOPIA

  1. Ethiopia has one of the oldest Christian traditions.
  2. It follows its own calendar system called the Ethiopian calendar, which has 13 months.
  3. Ethiopia was never fully colonized by Europeans.
  4. This country is known for its unique cuisine. Injera, a sourdough flatbread, is a staple food in Ethiopian cuisine.
  5. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT IN ETHIOPIA

Issue: In Ethiopia many children either don’t attend school or eventually drop out. Girls typically complete only eight years of school, and boys, nine. Just half of the population over age 15 can read and write. Even high school graduates may remain unemployed because their education didn’t include relevant vocational training.

Response: Compassion provides school supplies for assisted children and covers the cost of vocational school if necessary. Staff members also teach students professional skills and help them become certified in their areas of interest so they can become financially self-sufficient.

Prayer Point: Pray for the children in Ethiopia — that they will stay committed to their education and help break the cycle of poverty in their families.

Two girls sitting next to each other taking notes in school

Compassion child development centers provide children with school supplies and skills to better their future.

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Visit the Compassion blog to learn more about our work in Ethiopia.

Did You Know?

Dance is a very important part of Ethiopian culture. In fact, almost every ethnic group in Ethiopia has its own distinct style of dance.

Sponsor a Child in Ethiopia

Life in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Fast Facts

Official Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Form of Government: Federal parliamentary republic

Capital: Addis Ababa

Population: 108,113,150

Official Language: Amharic

Currency: Birr

Area: 426,372 square miles (1,104,300 square kilometers)

Poverty is a fact of daily life for hundreds of millions of Ethiopians, and hunger in Ethiopia is the hammer devastating many of them. But with your support, Compassion is working to change this.

Compassion has been working in Ethiopia since 1993, and although the facts and statistics about Ethiopia paint a grim picture, Compassion is making a difference. The Ethiopia facts and statistics tell a difficult story, but our sponsors and our frontline church partners are bringing hope to Ethiopians in the midst of these difficulties. Our programs are changing the statistics one child at a time. The fact is that the Church is helping beat back poverty!

Don't let the hopelessness of poverty overwhelm you. Be encouraged. Sponsor a child in Ethiopia or donate to children in Ethiopia to help make a difference.