Meet Sifan
Ethiopia
Sifan lives with her mother and younger sister. Her parents divorced when Sifan was only three years old. Since then the family has struggled to get by. They rent a one roomed mud house where they sleep, eat, and cook all in the same room and where they sleep on a mat. They walk ten minutes to collect clean water. Sifan's mother does not have a permanent income but she sometimes does labour work earning a small income of about £1 per day. This income doesn't cover the family's needs and there are times when the they struggle to afford food. Stand by Me accepted Sifan into the Abdi Academy. At the school she receives two meals a day, healthcare, uniform, shoes, clothes and a life-changing education. Sifan is a friendly girl and is from a Christian family. Her favourite colour is green and she loves learning Maths. She hopes to be a Pilot when she grows up!
Where Sifan 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.
Why Stand by Me?
How your donation is used
92% of your donation will be used to directly provide the best care possible for Sifan. 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 Sifan 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.
Not sure yet?
Ask us anything. We’ve helped sponsors change 1000s of kids’ lives, and we know it can be a big decision. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
