We want to extend a big thank you to all of you for your incredible generosity!
The support we have received for our “Backpack Buddies” program is making a real difference for the children in our Family Empowerment Program (FEP).
Every weekend, we’re able to provide bags of food to students who really need them.
The team in Ethiopia gets busy every Saturday preparing these bags. They are filled with nutritious food for the children to take home for the weekend. We provide meals for the children at the Family Empowerment Center when they come for tutoring, but they are away from the center on Sunday and Monday, and many don’t have access to nutritious meals during that time.
We pack each bag with healthy foods like kinche (a bit like oatmeal), beso (a roasted barley powder), macaroni, and fresh fruits and vegetables. These items are nutritious, familiar, and loved by the families.
Kinche is a wholesome breakfast dish made from cracked wheat, similar to oatmeal. It can be boiled in milk or water and mixed with oil (or butter) and onions. Beso is versatile, too. It’s used in various Ethiopian recipes and can be cooked or turned into a drink with water and honey.
The impact of these food bags is significant! Parents have shared their gratitude, noting how the food is helping their children and easing the family’s burden. One mother mentioned it’s the first time her child has breakfast before school regularly.
However, we still have more children to reach. For just $25 a month, you can provide a month’s worth of weekend meals for one student in our Backpack Buddy program.