General Information

Yezelalem Minch, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, East Africa, is an Ethiopian organization reaching out to children whose parents have died of AIDS, while also providing support and meeting the needs of families who have taken in orphaned children.

Beyond basic care, Yezelalem Minch seeks to enrich the lives of the children through educational, spiritual and social opportunities, with family-style homes that house children who cannot be cared for by the community. Emphasizing Christian nurturing, both the community and home-based programs utilize a holistic approach.

The Word:

"Yezelalem Minch" is an Amharic term meaning "never-ending spring." The phrase comes from the Old Testament passage of Isaiah 58:10. 11: If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed... The Lord will guide you always; you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

The Problem:

The epidemic of AIDS in Africa is leaving millions of children without parents or hope for a future. Currently, there are an estimated five million AIDS orphans in Ethiopia alone. Many of these children experience life utterly alone as their entire family has been wiped out by AIDS.

HIM Direct Involvement:

HIM also has staff, associates and volunteers who directly assist Yezelalem Minch in both fund-raising for the project and in enrichment activities for the children in Ethiopia.