Mercy Ministry Happy Children’s Home

In 2005, Mercy Ministry, a non-profit, non-governmental organization, opened the doors to Mercy Home; a rehabilitation center for street children. It was founded by young Ethiopians from various backgrounds and ethnic groups. The founders all had one thing in common: a real desire to bring change to the lives of children living on the streets.

In December 2005, five children came to live in the Mercy Home. In addition to the children that were supported inside the rehabilitation center, Mercy Ministry also supported two children outside the home. Mercy Ministry also developed a street visitation program where the people on the street are visited twice a week at night and clothing and food are provided.

Since opening in 2005, Mercy Ministry Happy Children’s Home has made a remarkable impact. Mercy Home currently has sixteen children living inside the rehabilitation center aged between six and nine years old.  The children are provided healthy meals, medical care, education, social activities and lots of love.  It is the goal of Mercy Home to allow the children to live for one year inside the center in order to prepare them physically, mentally, and emotionally for starting school.  After that, Mercy Ministry returns the children to their family and stays involved with these children by providing their school fees and supplies.  In extreme family situations, the children may stay in the center longer.

Not only has the number of children staying in the center increased, but the number of children supported by Mercy Ministry outside of the center has also grown. The number of at risk children supported outside the home has increased from just two in the beginning to twenty five in November 2008! Mercy Ministry provides them with their school fees and also school materials as resources permit. All of these children are part of a sponsorship program.