Transforming Lives Together: A Staff Member’s Mission to Inspire World Vision Ethiopia’s Local Sponsorship

Meet Mehari Abate, the Hub lead of the Afar region at World Vision Ethiopia. What began as a personal commitment to sponsor eight children has turned into an inspiring movement, motivating 85 World Vision Ethiopia staff to sponsor a total of 117 children.

One day, while attending a business meeting at the Head office in Addis Ababa, Mehari noticed something that stopped him in his tracks. The entrance wall was lined with hundreds of photographs.

Curious, he learned from a colleague that the portraits represented World Vision Ethiopia staff who were sponsoring children in the Lemo Area Program, the birthplace of World Vision Ethiopia's local sponsorship programme. 

A vague memory about the programme surfaced, but he didn’t have the details. Immediately after his meeting, he sought out the sponsorship focal person, eager to learn more. 

The focal person's clear explanation ignited Mehari's desire to get involved. When he asked, "Can I sponsor more than one child?" the answer, "As many as you like", motivated him to sponsor four children at once. “I am lucky to work in an organisation that gives us the opportunity to support others,” he explains, his excitement evident.

But Mehari didn’t stop there. He couldn’t keep this life-changing opportunity to himself. He shared the story of local sponsorship with his team, colleagues, and everyone he could reach- both within and outside his supervision. 

His tireless efforts have borne fruit, and today, 85 World Vision Ethiopia employees are sponsoring 117 children in the Lemo Area Program. 

"I do not boast of what I did,” Mehari humbly shares. I give credit to the kids and the compassionate staff that accepted my idea and worked together to support children in need, without prejudice, just like the good Samaritan." 

Mehari’s inspiration to help others comes from a sermon he heard as a high school student about the Good Samaritan. "That sermon taught me that true kindness knows no boundaries. Just like the Good Samaritan, who helped a stranger despite their differences, we are called to act with love and compassion for others, regardless of religion, race, or background. By following this example, we can embody God's love in the world. This is the life I strive to live," he reflects.

Since beginning his sponsoring children six months ago, Mehari and his family have seen the positive impact it has had. "After six months, we realised that sponsoring children has been a blessing for our family. After discussing it with my family, we decided to double the number of children we support. Now, as a family, we sponsor eight children. When I think of my sponsored children, I feel so joyful. It feels knowing that eight children are going to school, have school supplies to support their learning and have access to clean water," he says with a smile.  

World Vision Ethiopia’s local sponsorship programme has transformed the lives of over 1,000 children in Lemo. The programme's impact goes beyond individual children to providing education, water points (18 in total) that benefit over 18,000 community members, gender-segregated toilets in schools, clean water for 1,260 schoolchildren, and annual scholastic materials for sponsored children.

However, the gap between hope and opportunity remains wide. Too many children are still deprived of an education, trapped in child labour, or exposed to abuse that hinders their dreams and potential. 

Many suffer from preventable waterborne diseases due to the lack of clean water in their communities. For those fortunate enough to attend school, long distances and inadequate learning facilities create additional barriers to their success. 

But together, we can change this story. Through local sponsorship, we provide these children with the opportunities they deserve- education, clean water, and a safe environment in which to grow and thrive.

Like Mehari, you can be the catalyst for change. Take action today by sponsoring one or more children. Your contribution can inspire others, just as Mehari has inspired 85 colleagues.  Join us in giving children a brighter future. Let's work together to create a world where every child has the opportunity to learn and flourish.

By Aklilu Kassaye, Field Communication Manager, World Vision Ethiopia