Adopting from Ethiopia made us realize how vital it was for Samuel that we stay extremely connected to Ethiopia – not just the culture, but the actual country. We understand the importance of taking trips as frequently as possible, and to put as much effort into causes we find important over there, just like we do here.

Philanthropy in Ethiopia

Since having Aram, my goal has been aiding in reducing maternal mortality rates, particularly from hypertensive diseases of pregnancy in developing countries. I can’t imagine someone dying of something like Preeclampsia or HELLP Syndrome just because their geographical location limited their access to the type of resources I had.

Ethiopia is obviously close to our heart, and the maternal mortality rate staggering. The most troubling part to me is how many children that end up in orphanages because there is only one living parent. To me, helping the orphan crisis is not about adopting, but about the biological parents being well (financially and healthfully)  to care for their children.

Liya Kebede Foundation

Awhile ago, I started looking for nonprofits that were ethical and dedicated. This was so hard to find. Then I was introduced to the Liya Kebede Foundation by a friend in Los Angeles. I connected with them and I am so impressed by their professionalism and passion for what they are doing.
Here is some information on the foundation:

Liya Kebede is a supermodel that was born and raised in Ethiopia. She is now a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Organization. From her experiences with WHO she decided more needed to be done and started her own foundation. Her foundation is dedicated to saving the lives of mothers and children from pregnancy related causes.

Here is some information from their website:

Every minute, a woman dies from complications that arise during pregnancy or child birth and every minute, 20 children under the age of five years die. Most of these deaths could be prevented with access to basic health care. There is something desperately wrong about dying while trying to give life.  The Liya Kebede Foundation is committed to ensuring that every woman, no matter where she lives, has access to life-saving care.  We work to educate policy makers and support programs that save lives in partnership with governments, non-governmental organizations, corporations and affected communities. Saving mothers’ lives requires the strategic coordination and deployment of resources, skilled doctors and midwives, ambulances, roads, clean sheets and basic medical tools, just to name a few. We are dedicated to saving the next generation of mothers.

Get Involved

Obviously, we are primarily involved in Ethiopia now through Fayye Foundation and Waves for Water. However, different people have different passions (for good reason). I encourage you to get involved in ways that make you passionate. There is a South African proverb that says, “People are people through people.” The only way to truly be as a human being is through social interaction and philanthropy.