Opening Doors to Education & Opportunity Mercy Chapel Report | June 2026
General Knowledge and Formal Education Because of you, girls who once had no access to education are now learning to read, write and rediscover their sense of self. Your support has made it possible to provide not just academic instruction, but a holistic foundation in health, emotional well-being and personal identity, helping these girls heal, grow and imagine a future full of possibility. Some topics they study are:
HEALTH EDUCATION: Covered the definition of health (physical, mental, social well-being), disease prevention and awareness of dermatological, sexual and airborne illnesses. LIFE SKILLS: Classes on forgiveness, conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence. SELF-KNOWLEDGE WORKSHOPS: Guided reflection on identity and purpose (e.g., “Who am I?”, “Why do I learn?”), helping the girls define their sense of self and purpose. ACADEMICS: Amharic, English alphabet and Mathematics taught every Monday and Thursday afternoon, targeting girls who dropped out of school early; many are now reading fluently and learning multiplication/division. LEARNING CHALLENGES: Some girls struggle and express frustration; instructors respond with patience, and this openness reflects growing trust and a safe learning environment. LIBRARY SESSIONS (GRADE 7+): Independent reading time to build general knowledge, critical thinking and self-directed learning habits.
Vocational Training The vocational training program continues to be a cornerstone of independence. To set a purposeful tone for the day, the girls begin each morning with an energizing session centered on their identity of “Who They Are in Christ.” After anchoring their hearts in prayer, they transition into their respective practical classrooms with renewed focus and energy. Throughout this quarter, the girls have demonstrated remarkable consistency and commitment, making steady progress in their technical skills and reaching significant achievements in their respective crafts as they prepare for self-sufficient futures.
Tailoring The tailoring section has seen an incredibly productive period, with the students moving from basic concepts to advanced garment construction. The girls have successfully learned to cut out their patterns and fabric; specifically, four students drafted and finalized their patterns to begin stitching shirts, while another four students completed their shirt patterns, cut their paper templates, and successfully cut and stitched their fabric into complete shirts. Additionally, three more students reached the final stages of completing their shirt-sewing assignments. Beyond shirts, the class also achieved a major milestone by finishing the pattern making and garment construction for dresses, with each girl successfully creating a fully completed dress.
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Sara’s Story At a young age, Sara married and had a daughter, only to quickly face a painful divorce that left her without income or a way to provide. In one of the hardest decisions of her life, she placed her daughter in the care of trusted family and set out for the capital city, hoping to make a career for herself. Instead, alone and vulnerable in an unfamiliar city, she was deceived by someone she believed was a friend — and trapped in a cycle of sex trafficking that would consume nearly four years of her life. Amid the abuse, addiction and fear, one light remained: her second child, a son, whom she named Rebira, “gift from God,” because even in her darkest season, she recognized him as a precious mercy. When violence and threats closed in around her, Sara made a desperate, courageous choice — she reached out to your Mercy Vocational School, unsure if she could trust anyone again, but knowing she had nowhere else to turn. Healing did not come easily. Sara arrived carrying years of pain, fear and hopelessness, and for a time, her anger made even small steps toward trust feel impossible. But because of your faithful support, she was surrounded not with judgment, but with patience. Not with more instability, but with a safe place to finally rest. Slowly, something in her began to soften. A powerful turning point came through her growing faith — watching a portrayal of Christ’s sacrifice moved her to tears, awakening a capacity for forgiveness she had never known was still inside her. Piece by piece, her anger gave way to peace. Today, Sara is enrolled in tailoring training and building toward a future she once could not have imagined: one of independence, dignity and hope. The pain of her past will always be part of her story — but it no longer holds the pen. Because of you, Sara found a place to become whole again. She remains deeply grateful to Crisis Aid’s partners, like you, who reflected God’s love into her darkest moments, and to the staff whose steady care walked beside her every step toward restoration. None of this progress — the fluent readers, the confident stylists, the finished dresses hanging as proof of new skill — would be possible without you. Your continued partnership doesn’t just fund programs; it tells each girl at Mercy Vocational that she is worth investing in, that her past does not define her future and that someone believes in who she is becoming. On behalf of every girl whose life you are changing this quarter, thank you for your generosity, your compassion and your commitment to walking this journey alongside them.
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Image of Sara
Image of Sara’s child, Rebira 6