In 2024 Word Collective staff realized that single mothers in Ethiopia often face extreme poverty and deep hopelessness as they raise their children alone. Many of these women have no formal education, have experienced intense trauma, and don’t know anything about God’s love.

To reach these single mothers with God’s transformative care, the staff started an Ethiopian non-profit, Addis Tesfa Charity Organization. Its mission: To empower and transform the lives of women and children so they, in turn, can build communities that value and support the well-being of children and families.

Addis Tesfa helps single mothers build sustainable, independent livelihoods by walking alongside a cohort of 20 women at a time and providing them with physical, emotional, and spiritual support for a year-and-a-half. Each cohort goes through a holistic program that includes:

• Access to food and hygiene products
• Trauma-informed healing groups
• Job training
• Medical support
• Life skills training
• Story-based discipleship

By the time they leave the program, women will have the skills they need to be self-sufficient, emotionally healthy, and able to make a difference in their communities.

Women in the current cohort already report transformation and healing in their lives. Some report that their relationships with their children and communities have begun to improve, while others have found relief in the community Addis Tesfa provides. Seeing Jesus’ love up close has begun to change their lives.