Facts About Ethiopia

Selami! That’s how you say “hello” in Amharic, one of the official languages of Ethiopia. This country in Africa is known for its rich traditions, including its formal coffee ceremony between friends and family. Learn more Ethiopia facts here. 

Fields and lush green landscape spread in front of a bright blue sky.

5 Interesting Ethiopia Facts

Here are five fun facts about Ethiopia:

Map of Ethiopia.

Where Is Ethiopia?

Ethiopia is in East Africa, within a region called the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. 

Key Challenges in Ethiopia & Our Response

Ethiopian culture is rich, full of things to do, taste, see and explore. However, the country is also home to thousands of children living in impoverished communities. These children face the devastating and life-altering challenges of poverty daily. 

Malnutrition & Poor Medical Care Harm Children From Birth 

Children in Africa are at high risk of death from a young age. In Ethiopia, the under-5 mortality rate is high at 46.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Unfortunately, this is caused by many factors that can stem from poverty, including malnutrition and poor medical care. 

Our Response: Survival Programs Provide Critical Care 

We believe all children should be given the chance to thrive. Through our Survival programs in Africa, we provide medical care, nutrition support and even delivery care to moms and babies living in poverty.  

This critical care continues through a baby’s first year of life, giving them a healthy foundation for growth. After this they’re eligible to be sponsored by someone like you!

Lack of Education Stops Children From Becoming Self-Sufficient 

According to UNICEF, only 33.1% of children make it to secondary school in Ethiopia. Around 90% of 10-year-old children in Ethiopia don’t know how to read. And crises and conflicts have resulted in millions of children being out of school in Ethiopia.  

Unfortunately, children without educations often lack the skills needed to become self-sufficient adults. This leaves them unable to provide for themselves or their families, keeping them trapped in poverty. 

Our Response: Educational & Vocational Opportunities Help Kids Succeed 

At Compassion, we provide the educational tools children need to attend school, from supplies and tuition to tutoring. We also provide vocational opportunities so children can learn job skills and become certified in their areas of interest. As a result, they can become financially self-sufficient.

Our Impact in Ethiopia

Compassion has proudly served the children and families living in Ethiopia for three decades. In that time, we’ve helped release thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through child sponsorship.

136,045

children served (and counting).

588

churches serving.

30

years of serving.
Reunited by a Gift

Sponsor Letters Give Hope to Children in Ethiopia & Beyond

In Ethiopia and beyond, messages from sponsors deliver hope to thousands of children in the Compassion program. See the power your messages hold through the eyes of these children.

An older woman pours coffee from a jug while smiling.

Ethiopian Coffee Brings Vulnerable Moms Together

In Compassion Survival programs, new and expecting moms get together to read the Bible, attend training and connect with one another during traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. 

Fight Child Poverty: Give Right-Now Care & Eternal Hope

Nutritious food. Medical care. Protection from harm. Hope. These are just some of the critical, right-now needs of children living in poverty. Help us fight child poverty by meeting these needs and sharing the lasting hope of the gospel. 

Sponsor a Child

By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to share the gospel by meeting the needs of a child’s body, mind and spirit. Through sponsorship, you’ll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. 

Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 says that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift up children living in poverty, God hears us, and we can trust he’s working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.

Donate

Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.