Generation Impact Initiative (GII) was established from the former Sendafa Children’s Orphanage. The orphanage was developed as a family project starting with providing care and help to 12 children.
In 2007 the Gemechu family reunited after 20 years of being apart due to living in different countries. At this reunion, a decision was made to start an orphanage. The Gemechu family wanted to express their Christian faith by using their different gifts and education through this work. The orphanage they founded was named Sendafa Children’s Orphanage.
Financial support:
Financial support for GII has been provided by personal gifts, occasional donations through churches, generous gifts from friends and by faithful donations from the Gemechu family.
2008
The Establishment of Sendafa Children’s Orphanage in 2008
Amanuel and Ayyaana from USA are visiting surrounding areas of Sendafa in 2008 for selecting children for the Sendafa Children’s Orphanage.
Video from the village Bakka where the first orphan children come from.
Family members with 12 orphan children in front of the rented house.
Sendafa Children’s Orphanage started in 2008 by renting a house for 12 children who have been selected from the Gemechu family from rural areas around Sendafa. They started school in Sendafa in September 2008.
2010
In 2010 Amanuel visits with his daughter Kalaalee Sendafa Children’s Orphanage.
Sendafa Children’s Orphanage has also a little garden Kalaalee enjoyed at that time.
2012
In December 2012, Amanuel and Benita Gemechu are visiting with their children some of the orphan children at their rented room organized by GII, December 2012.
Establishment of GII in 2012
Due to the new law for non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in Ethiopia, all existing NGO’s needed to register under new laws. Sendafa Children’s Orphanage changed its name to Generation Impact Initiative (GII) and in 2012 it started running with the minimum requirement of providing for 50 children including the previous children selected by the local governmental officials. GII registered as a non-profit community-based humanitarian organization which provides help to children and their families, mostly single moms. The former compound of Sendafa Children’s Orphanage is functioning now as Children’s Center where groups organized by age and grade receive help.
- Orphan children at GII.
- Single moms of GII children are waiting for receiving support provided by GII at the Children’s center.
- GII children meet during summer break at the Children’s Center.
2015
Due to inflation and not receiving enough funds from abroad, the survival of GII became critically endangered. Planned short-term job training for single moms was canceled and the rented office place within a church had to be given up.
Through many prayers and persistent striving, GII became eligible in May 2015 to receive tax- deductible funds through National Christian Foundation. A generous donation from a friend has carried GII through the immediate danger zone to survive and continue its service. GII is looking now for regular financial supporters to participate financially on a consistent basis. Tax- deductible donations can be made to GII through National Christian Foundation.
Short term goal:
- Providing enough funds to GII to ensure its continuing service in Ethiopia.
- Establishing partnerships and finding sponsorship.
Long term goals:
- Providing gradually additional funds to GII for additional programs like:
- job training of handicrafts to the children’s mothers
- building a health center
- establishing a preschool with gospel teaching
- establishing a Christian music program which may include voluntary services from abroad through personal trips to Ethiopia.
We need your help! Please prayerfully consider joining us on this journey of service as we support those in need in Ethiopia. You can change lives through your participation, providing for both physical and spiritual needs by supporting GII. If you would like to donate, you can do so here. Thank you for your heart for those deeply in need!