Orphaned at Six: How World Vision’s Sponsorship Program Transformed Martha’s Life

Martha, 24 years old, lives just a few kilometres west of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She lost both of her parents when she was just six years old, leaving her and her youngest sisters on their own.

 As the eldest sister, she found herself overwhelmed with the weight of responsibility. She felt utterly lost, unable to care for herself or her younger siblings. "I stared off into space," she recalls, finding brief solace in the stillness as a way to escape her mounting stress. Then came a lifeline from her grandmother, who urged Martha and her sisters to move in with her. The moment she received the message, a wave of relief washed over her. "It gave me hope," she remembers. Her sisters shared in her joy, their faces lighting up at the prospect of being with their grandmother.

 Though their grandmother often struggled to provide for her own family, she was unwavering in her determination to step in and help. Martha felt a comforting warmth as she watched her sisters being cared for, their grandma’s love wrapping around them like a protective shield. At that moment, despite the challenges they faced, a flicker of hope sparkled within her. The sense of togetherness they shared began to mend their hearts, piece by piece.

 Determined to support herself and her siblings, Martha set out in search of any menial household job that could bring in even a small income.  From the age of six, Martha was engaged in child labour, running errands, fetching water, and doing household chores for the family she worked for. Martha endured it with quiet resilience.

 Although it was backbreaking labour, Martha never complained. She found strength in the knowledge that each challenge was a step toward a brighter future for her family. “I was doing my best to provide for my sisters,” she reflects. Yet her early years were plagued with uncertainty and hardship.

 Martha used her meager earnings to help her younger sisters and pay her school fees. "Sometimes, my sisters and I went to school hungry, and our teachers fed us. This made it difficult to concentrate in class,” she recalls.

 To this point, Martha’s future seemed bleak until an unexpected encounter changed everything. A government development committee representative tasked with identifying the most vulnerable families in her village flagged Martha’s situation. This was when Martha was introduced to World Vision Ethiopia.

 World Vision staff assessed Martha’s home and immediately registered her in the child sponsorship program. This marked the beginning of her transformative journey. Through the program, Martha received school supplies, uniforms, and food assistance- basic items that lifted a heavy burden off her shoulders. "World Vision became like a new family to me," Martha shares.

 World Vision also built a safer, more stable home for her family, freeing them from the vulnerabilities of their previous dilapidated shelter. However, it was the encouragement from her sponsor through letters that played a pivotal role in reigniting Martha’s dreams and pushed her to pursue her studies with renewed passion. “Their letters made me feel like I had a family cheering me on," she says.

 With renewed hope and determination, Martha excelled in school and eventually enrolled in university, where she pursued a degree in management. In 2023, she graduated and now works as a Technical Management Officer for a government institution. Her success has enabled her to support her family and ensure her younger sisters continue their education.

 "The challenges I faced made me strong," she says. "World Vision's support helped me see barriers as opportunities. Without them, becoming self-sufficient and supporting others would have been a distant dream.”

Sutuma Kenea, Manager at World Vision Ethiopia, believes Martha's story is a beacon of hope for other young girls. "Her persistence and success demonstrate what can be accomplished in the face of adversity," he says.

 World Vision's sponsorship programme continues to change lives by empowering children and communities to overcome challenges and build brighter futures. Martha's story is a powerful reminder of the power of compassion.

By joining World Vision, compassionate individuals can play a role in making a long-term difference for children. Through sponsorship and community development efforts, World Vision provides vulnerable children with the tools and support they need to thrive.

Martha’s story is just one among many, proof that with hope, determination, and a helping hand, the impossible becomes possible.

By Workineh Muleta, Communications Coordinator, World Vision Ethiopia