Two sisters in Ethiopia have hope when they start a beauty salon

Last year, six families in our Ethiopia Family Empowerment Program successfully launched their own businesses, became fully self-sufficient, and graduated from the program. That means six new families now have the opportunity to step into the support, training, and encouragement that help make lasting change possible.

Behind every one of those numbers is a story. Here’s one we can’t stop smiling about.

Frita & Blaine: A Dream Brought to Life

Frita and Blaine are sisters living in Ethiopia who have already faced more loss than most of us can imagine. After losing both of their parents, the two have been navigating life on their own and leaning on each other for strength and hope.

For as long as she could remember, Frita dreamed of opening a beauty salon. It wasn’t just about hair. It was about dignity, stability, and a future she could build with her own hands.

Last fall, an America World missions team traveled to Ethiopia and met Frita personally. After hearing her story and seeing her determination, the team generously funded the startup costs for her small salon, turning her dream into reality.

On opening day, Frita carefully chose her first customer… her sister, Blaine! As Frita washed and styled Blaine’s hair, that day marked more than the opening of a business. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with purpose, independence, and hope.

Why the Family Empowerment Program Exists

More than ten years ago, we launched the Ethiopia Family Empowerment Program in partnership with the local government in Addis Ababa. Our shared goal was simple and deeply meaningful: to help families in extreme poverty stay together, rather than being forced to place their children in government orphanages.

Through close collaboration with local officials, our Ethiopia staff is connected with families who truly qualify for support, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.

For just $45 a month, one family receives basic essentials like:

Food
Shelter
Clothing
Medication

Beyond meeting immediate needs, the program includes events, training, and skill-building opportunities throughout the year, helping families gain the tools they need for long-term sustainability.

The result? Families don’t just survive. They grow, thrive, and eventually no longer need assistance.

From Support to Self-Sufficiency

When you give to the Family Empowerment Program, you’re doing more than meeting a need.

You’re helping families:

Build income-generating skills
Launch small businesses
Gain confidence and stability
Create a future where their children can remain safely at home

And when you travel on a mission trip with America World, these aren’t just stories you hear. They are lives you touch.

Join the Story

Would you consider supporting the Family Empowerment Program and helping another family take their first step toward self-sufficiency? Or perhaps you’d like to join a missions team to Ethiopia and experience this work firsthand. You will meet families, hear their stories, and see the impact for yourself.

As Scripture reminds us:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” – Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV)

And truly, don’t just take our word for how powerful this program is. Go to Ethiopia. Meet the families. Sit with them. Listen.

Their stories will stay with you forever.