MEET TESFA
Tesfa Alebachew was homeless for an entire decade. He was just a child - seven years old - when his mother died and he was forced onto the street. His father had left years before, and there was no other family member to care for him. Now, he runs a shelter in Harar, Ethiopia, to keep other vulnerable children from struggling the way he did. Tesfa is known as “Father” to more than 84 kids, from toddlers to teens.
THE NEED
Tesfa’s Shelter cares for more than 84 children who are orphaned, abandoned or do not have anyone who is able to care for them. Tesfa provides food, shelter, care, love, protection and a family to these vulnerable children.
Tesfa and the children need your support to protect, feed, shelter and care for them.
HOW THE SHELTER WORKS
Tesfa's Shelter is a special place. There's just no other way to describe the incredible model Tesfa has developed for the shelter, a place of safety and family built on selfless commitment, determination, dedication and the help of local volunteers.
Tesfa is the founder, the leader, and the manager. He created the shelter to help children on the street - children just like him. He’s used his tragic past as motivation to build a home for those who no longer have one.
It's a family affair, too, with his wife donating a lot of her time as a volunteer to help care for and love the children.
Volunteers work to collect some of the materials needed for the children and local businesses help to provide services like hair cuts and sanitary pads for the girls.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Respect the Ethiopian culture.
No child will feel left out or feel less than any other child in the shelter.
Invest and build into children’s lives to allow for a brighter future.
All actions will protect the children from harm.
Regular assessment and evaluation of program to measure needs and ensure accountability to donors.
JOIN TEAM TESFA!
The Team Tesfa Sponsorship Program is different from other sponsorship programs in that the children are provided with their housing as well as food, clothing, medical and psychological care, school uniforms and supplies, sanitary materials, guidance, care and love.
The cost to raise a child at Tesfa's Shelter is $1,000 Canadian per year or $84 per month. Compare that to the over $15,000 or $1,250 per month that it costs to raise a Canadian child each year. Our money goes a long way in Ethiopia.
Ways to make your sponsorship payments:
Pre-authorized monthly credit card payments.
Pre-authorized monthly e-transfers.
Post-dated cheques.
Annual one-time payment by cheque, e-transfer, or credit card.
If the sponsorship amount is out of reach for you but you want to join Team Tesfa and change a child's life, here are some ideas to consider:
ask a family member(s) to share in the cost of the sponsorship
ask a friend(s) to share in the cost of the sponsorship
invite a group at work to become a sponsor together
invite members of a book club, exercise group, etc. to become a sponsor together
Have questions or need more information? Contact us today!