Selamawit's Family

Selamawit has faced immense hardship, trauma, and loss throughout her life.

At just 14 years old, she was forced into a traditional arranged marriage with an older man who was abusive. Demonstrating remarkable courage, Selamawit left that marriage and moved to Addis Ababa, where she worked for many years as a maid and day laborer. After the birth of her first son, life continued to be challenging. Her second pregnancy was complicated, and her baby passed away just five days after birth. A year later, she gave birth to a baby girl weighing only three pounds. Her daughter survived and is now five years old.

In recent years, Selamawit has faced strain in her current marriage. Her husband has struggled to provide consistent support, leaving her to manage nearly all responsibilities on her own. She earns money for food by selling incense on the streets. They live in a small single-room home made of wood and mud, without access to running water.

Monthly sponsorship will provide Selamawit’s family with holistic support such as food, housing, medical care, spiritual care, counselling, education, health and life skills training, income generation and business development opportunities. Being part of HFK’s Family Empowerment Program will also give this family an opportunity to participate in many of our youth, daycare, education, and community programs.

Current Need per Month $260: Sponsor $260 per mo.| $130 per mo.| $65 per mo.