I have happy, happy news to share today!

Two little ones who have been growing up in our Joyful House orphanage aren’t there any more… they are at HOME with their very own mommies and daddies.  Loved and cherished members of their very own families.

Tigist’s grandmother was left to care for her when her birthmother ran away shortly after she was born.  The grandmother was an alcoholic who begged on the streets for food – holding Tigist in her lap.  A concerned woman noticed the child was not safe and called the police.

She was placed at the orphanage where she immediately began receiving love and attention – something we believe she had never experienced.  Her sponsor made it possible for us to give her the food, care and love she so desperately needed.

We don’t know the extent of the neglect she suffered in her early life but the trauma of those days showed itself in her facial expression and her personality.

Gradually she began to open up to being loved and smiles began appearing on her sweet little face.

Now 2 years old, Tigist was chosen for adoption at the beginning of July and is now with her parents, Mesfin and Mahilet, living in Addis Ababa.  She has yet another big transition in her life but we are covering her in prayer for a good attachment and bonding.  She is greatly loved!

Biniam’s story is very typical of so many others in our care.  He was only about 2 days old when a woman found him laying on the ground behind a little shop in the Shashemene marketplace.  He was extremely fragile, with arms and legs only loose skin covering bones.

But thanks to his sponsor and the big-hearted generosity of many of you, it did not take long at all for this little guy to fill out and thrive!

Right after he turned two, Biniam was also chosen for adoption by an overjoyed couple living in Addis Ababa.  Tsehayiye and Tigist and their extended family could not be happier to have a son of their very own.

THANK YOU for enabling us to do this amazing work of placing children where they belong – in families.  We simply could not do it without your help!