Current Projects
Better Access to Clean Water
In order to have water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and other necessary tasks, villagers must walk about two miles, and then they must pay to fill their empty containers. However, mechanical issues at the pump or often a low supply of water can make their long walk unsuccessful. Because of the lack of clean water resulting in hygeine related diseases in the area, the Ethiopian government is now mass distributing deworming medications for intestinal parasites. Our desire is to show the love of God to these people by providing a well in their village.
Update (12/18/2025)
We have received the complete construction quote for the water project. Rather than digging a new well, the plan is to tap into an existing water source and use 1500 meters of water line that will bring water to a four faucet fill station. This will be much closer to the villagers in and around Abela Ferracho Shoma.
According to our in-country director,
"The community currently walks about 6 kilometers, taking approximately one hour to reach the water point and return home. This effort is repeated daily. In addition, there is a long queue at the existing water supply, as it serves a large population, including residents from the nearby town. This further increases the waiting time for community members. The new water point will reduce the walking distance by 4 kilometers for those who previously traveled 6 kilometers. Moreover it will help to ease congestion and significantly reduce waiting time for water collection."
Based on the current exchange rate, the total cost of the project is $10,621. If you would like to help provide better access to water for the villagers in this area, click the donate button below.
Educational Materials
Public education is free in Ethiopia if you have a uniform and/or school supplies. The children who live in this southern Ethiopian village have neither. Our desire is to provide the necessary supplies for all of the children in the village to have the opportunity to go to school. It costs about $90 US dollars per child to purchase one uniform, socks, shoes, a backpack, water bottle, umbrella, textbooks, pens, pencils and paper in order to attend one year (10 months) of school. We hope to make this dream of going to school a reality for these children.
Update (8/12/2025)
We went to Ethiopia in July of 2025 with the funding from generous donors for fifty-three children to have uniforms and supplies in order to go to school. When we visited the village to share this good news, we discovered there were at least double that number of children who were in need of these resources. Word quickly spread via social media and in three days, we had enough additional funding for another fifty-three, bringing the total of children able to attend school next year to 106! To God be the glory!
Food Distribution
Food Distribution
Food Distribution
Hunger is a reality for many children in this village. Having a uniform and school supplies takes care of the first hurdle that is keeping them from getting an education. Going to school on an empty stomach, however, is another issue for these children. For $190 a week (.35 daily per child), we can provide 1 kg of ground corn for each of the 106 children. This will give them a very basic source of food to help the families ensure the children have something to eat while in school each day.
Update (9/22/25):
Corn meal distribution began 2 weeks before school started so we could work out any kinks. Now, three weeks later, all is going well. Every child who received school supplies from Newthings and is attending school is receiving about 2 lbs each week. See photos below.
School Repairs
Food Distribution
Food Distribution
Even with such a basic and less than optimal learning environment, the children of Abele Ferracho Shoma consider it an incredible privilege to get to go to school. The local school is in much need of repair. Walls and floors are deteriorating, doors and windows are missing, desks and chalkboards are falling apart. We are hoping to provide new materials so that these children and teachers can receive a better quality education.
Update (9/22/25):
Thanks to generous donors, Newthings has been able to send $3000 to the local school where our students attend. This money is being used to purchase new desks and other furniture needed to ensure the success of the students. With this money we were also able to purchase a Bible for each of the teachers in the school. Photos below show the teachers with Bibles and the new desks that are being made.
Update (10/15025)
40 desks, 12 chalkboards, 2 mattresses, 1 vinyl floor covering were delivered to the elementary school. See pictures and videos under "condition of school" below.