BOYS' AND GIRLS' TOWNS OF ETHIOPIA

Selam was an excellent student. Every day she woke before dawn to make the 15-mile journey to school. By the time she got home each night, it was dark. The journey to and from school became too difficult and dangerous and Selam dropped out.

Boys' and Girls' Towns of Ethiopia supports youth in one of the poorest countries in the world to stay in school and learn leadership skills. Our program gives 100 girls like Selam access to education by providing homes close to the local high school. Boys' and Girls' Towns of Ethiopia also supports 100 young people living with disabilities and 200 orphans and vulnerable children with school and medical supplies, clothing and business training.

At bimonthly meetings, each group comes together to share challenges ​and dreams, and to encourage one another to actively build a hopeful future.

Over the last few decades, many of the young people arriving to the Towns in Italy have come from Ethiopia. A Chance In Life inaugurated Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Ethiopia in October of 2015 and is working with the young and dynamic Diocese of Emdibir to help girls and boys create lives of dignity within their own communities.

Opposite: A school boy at St. Markos' elementary school.

Top: Happy friends in Boys' and Girls' Towns of Ethiopia's program for orphaned and extremely poor children.

Bottom: These girls no longer have to walk 2 hours to school each day. Our program has provided homes close to local high schools for 100 girls this year.