About Ethiopia

From the Northern Highlands, across the Rift Valley and down to the Southern Plateau, Ethiopia is a land of dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife species. With its verdant valleys, numerous rivers, and infernal deserts, it is located in the Horn of Africa, in the northeast corner of the continent. Addis Ababa, the capital is a bustling cosmopolitan city in the heart of a poor rural country. The historical sites of Ethiopia, the cultures, traditions and captivating mix of religious sites consistently leave you in awe and wanting to experience more of its diversity.

The people of Ethiopia are warm, welcoming and proud to show you their beautiful country that is home to more than 80 different ethnic groups living unique lives in some of the remotest parts of the country. It is the most populous landlocked country, home to nearly 105 million people (World Bank, 2017), with an estimated 30 million living below the national food poverty line, and close to 80% of the population living in rural areas.

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Although it is among the top 15 fastest growing economies in the world, it is still one of the poorest countries; the most recent Human Development Index places Ethiopia 173 out of 189 countries.

Food security, financial opportunities, inequality and access to basic health care, education, clean water and sanitation facilities are all issues that most Ethiopians encounter on a daily basis, forcing many children to forgo schooling to help their families at home.

We focus on Ethiopia because there is great need, tremendous potential in community empowerment and development, and significant outcomes have already been achieved with little investment.