Al Nejashi Orphanage was established in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, Ethiopia, as a direct extension of the Adem and Sada Foundation's mission. Rooted in love, compassion, and resilience, the orphanage was officially opened in September 2024, offering a safe and nurturing home for girls who lost their parents during the war.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: to run the orphanage like a family home, where each child is cared for as though she were our own.
In Mekelle, Tigray, we have established a multi-faith, all-girls home dedicated to providing safety, stability, and long-term empowerment for orphaned children. With the support of generous donors, we successfully secured a five-year lease on the residence, including six months of rent paid in advance, ensuring continuity of care and housing security. The facility is currently furnished with ten beds, each complete with a mattress, blanket, pillows, and towels; providing every child with dignity and a sense of belonging. Initial bedding and essential furnishings were funded through a $1,600 investment, a testament to the effective allocation of donor contributions. This home represents not only immediate shelter but also a sustainable foundation where each girl can pursue education, life skills, and future self-sufficiency.
Al Nejashi Orphanage, established in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, is a direct extension of the Adem and Sada Foundation's mission. Through sponsorship and support, we ensure that vulnerable children affected by war have access to safety, care, and opportunity
Education is at the core of our mission. We provide academic tutoring, language classes, and religious studies, giving every child the foundation they need to build a brighter future.
Beyond academics, we nurture creativity and life skills through arts and crafts, cooking classes, and cultural enrichment activities. We create a safe and loving environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
We work closely with local leaders, educators, and caregivers to ensure that the programs at the orphanage are culturally relevant, sustainable, and tailored to the unique needs of each child.
Our vision goes beyond care—we focus on empowerment and sustainability. We incorporate income-generating activities, such as selling cookies and handmade crafts, to help children develop entrepreneurial skills and gain financial independence.
Through love, education, and community, we strengthen each child's confidence, resilience, and sense of self-worth. Our ultimate goal is to raise future leaders who will embrace diversity, champion gender equality, and give back to their communities.
Al Nejashi Orphanage, established in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, is a direct extension of the Adem and Sada Foundation's mission. Through sponsorship and support, we ensure that vulnerable children affected by war have access to safety, care, and opportunity
Education is at the core of our mission. We provide academic tutoring, language classes, and religious studies, giving every child the foundation they need to build a brighter future.
Beyond academics, we nurture creativity and life skills through arts and crafts, cooking classes, and cultural enrichment activities. We create a safe and loving environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
We work closely with local leaders, educators, and caregivers to ensure that the programs at the orphanage are culturally relevant, sustainable, and tailored to the unique needs of each child.
Our vision goes beyond care—we focus on empowerment and sustainability. We incorporate income-generating activities, such as selling cookies and handmade crafts, to help children develop entrepreneurial skills and gain financial independence.
Through love, education, and community, we strengthen each child's confidence, resilience, and sense of self-worth. Our ultimate goal is to raise future leaders who will embrace diversity, champion gender equality, and give back to their communities.
Phase 1 (September 2024): Successfully welcomed our first cohort of 25 girls, with an investment of $4,200.
Phase 2 (December 2024): Expanded capacity by an additional 25 girls, requiring $8,400 in support.
Today, the Al Nejashi Orphanage is home to 50 girls, each receiving holistic care, education, and the opportunity to thrive.
Phase 1 (September 2024): Successfully welcomed our first cohort of 25 girls, with an investment of $4,200.
Phase 2 (December 2024): Expanded capacity by an additional 25 girls, requiring $8,400 in support.
Today, the Al Nejashi Orphanage is home to 50 girls, each receiving holistic care, education, and the opportunity to thrive.
Step by step, we are building the infrastructure and programs needed to welcome more children and sustain the highest standards of support.
To reduce donor dependency and equip the girls with entrepreneurial skills, we have launched small-scale social enterprise initiatives. These include…
In partnership with Addis Guzo, girls are receiving training to produce reusable sanitary products, addressing a critical health and dignity need while generating income.
Equipping Children with Marketable Skills.
Teaching Children Product Scalability.
In partnership with Addis Guzo, girls are receiving training to produce reusable sanitary products, addressing a critical health and dignity need while generating income.
Equipping Children with Marketable Skills.
Teaching Children Product Scalability.
At the Adem and Sada Foundation, we recognize that strong organizational capacity is critical to ensuring both the immediate care of our children and the long-term sustainability of our programs. To that end, we have developed a staffing model that combines professional expertise, compassionate care, and strong oversight.
Following a rigorous six-month search and vetting process, we appointed a highly qualified resident manager and family to live on-site at Al Nejashi Orphanage. This individual provides daily supervision, parental guidance, and emotional stability, ensuring that the home operates with consistency and nurturing care.
We engage skilled tutors and instructors who provide academic support, language training, religious studies, and life skills development. Their role is not only instructional but also mentoring, helping each girl build confidence and resilience.
Specialized trainers deliver hands-on workshops in arts, crafts, cooking, technology, and entrepreneurship. These programs prepare the girls for financial independence and provide pathways for future income generation.
Local and international volunteers extend our capacity by assisting with tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment activities. Their participation broadens the girls' exposure to diverse perspectives while strengthening community ties.
The orphanage operates under the governance of the Adem and Sada Foundation Board, led by Founder and President Anisa. Strategic oversight ensures accountability, measurable outcomes, and alignment with our mission to empower girls toward self-sufficiency. Regular monitoring and evaluation frameworks are in place to track progress, assess impact, and refine programming for continuous improvement.
Through this layered structure, we demonstrate not only the ability to provide safe and nurturing care but also the organizational capacity to deliver measurable outcomes in education, personal development, and economic empowerment. This staffing model ensures sustainability, scalability, and alignment with best practices in child welfare and development.
At the core of Al Nejashi Orphanage's vision is the belief that true empowerment comes from self-reliance. While donor support provides the critical foundation for immediate needs such as food, shelter, and education, we are equally committed to building sustainable income streams that reduce long-term dependency on external funding.
To achieve this, we have launched income-generating initiatives designed to equip our girls with vocational skills while creating reliable revenue for the orphanage. These initiatives include the production of reusable menstrual pads, handmade purses, baked goods, and traditional Tigrayan products. Each girl earns income through these activities, with 50% of profits retained by the individual and the remainder reinvested into the orphanage, fostering both personal financial independence and institutional sustainability.
Central to this strategy are our strategic partnerships. With Addis Guzo, we provide professional training and technical expertise that ensures product quality and equips our girls with transferable skills in design and production. Through American Mission Aluminum, we are building robust distribution networks that expand our reach to local and international markets. Together, these collaborations form a scalable model for sustainable growth, transforming short-term donor support into a long-term engine of empowerment and resilience.
By embedding sustainability into every layer of our work, Al Nejashi is not only caring for vulnerable children today but also preparing them—and the institution itself—for a future defined by dignity, opportunity, and self-sufficiency.