Why this Project?

        I first visited Ethiopia four years ago on a mission trip with the Adera Foundation. I immediately fell in love with the people of Addis Ababa, and have gone back every year since then. I have worked with the Adera Foundation throughout high school, witnessing the way they walk alongside families to create real and lasting change. Their mission isn’t about quick fixes; rather, it is about development and investment that creates avenues for change.

        My experiences in Ethiopia have given me the privilege of forming relationships with extraordinary people whose resilience has changed the way I see the world. Their powerful stories of strength and endurance have shaped my sense of purpose, and I want to share with my community at home. 

        I believe stories have the power to change hearts, spark compassion, and build bridges across the world, but only when they are told ethically and respectfully. The people I have met in Ethiopia have stories worth sharing, but their circumstances limit the scope of their ability to do so. My goal is not to speak for anyone, but to help create space for their experiences to be heard when circumstances might limit their ability to share them widely.

       By bringing these stories to our community, I hope to honor the individuals behind them and inspire others with the profound impact the Adera Foundation is making in Ethiopia. This project is my way of stewarding the stories that have been shared with me so that they can impact others as remarkably as they have impacted me.