Meet Mahilet

Aged 7, Ethiopia

Mahilet lives with her mother and two older brothers in a rented room in a mud house with no bed or bedding materials. They sleep on a grass mattress. Mahilet’s mother is unable to afford to feed her family from the small income she gets from washing clothes and baking injera (local bread). 

Mahilet's mother sought the help of Stand by Me. She knows that with sponsorship support at the Stand by Me school her daughter can receive a quality education, along with daily fresh food and clothes.

Mahilet is a happy and energetic girl. She is keen to learn and likes to play hide and seek and dodge ball. She also likes to draw pictures and read the English alphabet.

Where Mahilet lives

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Famine, HIV/Aids and extreme poverty have resulted in millions of orphans and a life of hardship for the majority of its population. Nearly one million children are orphaned as a result of HIV/Aids. A lack of investment in education and a high dependency on child labour has left five million children without access to an education. Educational opportunities for girls are lower than boys as they are expected to do domestic work or marry at an early age.

Our two schools, the Bethany School and the Abdi Academy are today providing the poorest children with a quality education, daily food, health care and family support. Our Children’s Village has two family homes which care for orphaned and at risk children. 

How your donation is used

92% of your donation will be used to directly provide the best care possible for Mahilet. We’ll use the remaining 8% to support the work of Stand by Me and find a sponsor for the next child.

What you receive

When you sponsor Mahilet you will receive a pack in the post with his story and photo. Every year you will receive an update about his/her progress, a new photo and at least one communication from him/her.

Real relationship

We know our kids love to receive your letters and write back so we encourage you to write as many letters as you like, along with photos and birthday gifts to develop a genuine relationship.

Stand by... almost there...