Our Team

Abenezer Assefa

Co-founder & Programs Director

Abenezer was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She herself grew up supported in a child sponsorship program, which is what inspires her to serve youth today. After graduating with both a bachelors and master’s degree in Social Work, Abenezer gained experience working in various youth-focused non-profits. This experience was capped by being a programs director of a project for the last several years. Her experience with children goes beyond just her experience in non-profits. She is also married and a mother to 2 children!

Contact: abenezerassefa10@gmail.com

Lincoln Vallett

Co-founder & Executive Director

Lincoln first visited Ethiopia in 2012 and found an interest in working with youth. It was after moving full time to Ethiopia 2015 that the interest became a passion. He has since worked with different child-focused non-profits since, taking experience and lessons from each of them. He believes that the key to transformation in the lives of youth is relationship. Lincoln has a bachelor’s degree in International Business and a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies. He lives full-time in Addis Ababa.

Contact: lvallett@gmail.com

Kassahun

Accountant & Head of Finance

Kassahun has decades of accounting and finance experience. It is a comfort to know, with him, we don’t need to worry about our books. He also serves as the accountant at his local church.

LemLem

Cashier & Food Program Manager

Lemlem is our cashier that does it all! She handles all financial transactions for us, but also helps us a lot with the kids! We appreciate her hard working attitude and willingness to help out in anyway she can. She has a associates degree in accounting and is currently studying for her bachelors.

Abel

Education Coordinator

When it comes to education, Abel is our man. When he’s not teaching or making lesson plans, he is in our library brushing up on subjects that our kids need work with. We appreciate his passion and his encouraging style of teaching. He is also a current candidate for graduation from his Masters of Social Work program.

Samira

Cleaning Staff

No one brings more joy to our staff than Samira. She is always positive and smiling. She keeps our office and youth center spotless and also prepares tea and coffee for all of the staff members.

Saron

Medical & Education Social Worker

Saron recently graduated college as a Health Officer, which is around the equivalent of a nurse practitioner here. She is passionate about health, but even more passionate about seeing others thrive. Saron uses her education and talents with us as she manages all the health support we give as well as the education program from kids 4th grade and below.

Yonas

Purchaser & Driver

Yonas is our most recent addition to the staff. He has previously worked and traveled throughout many different areas of the country. He is happy to be settled back in Addis Ababa now, with his wife and child. Yonas drives the staff and those we work with whenever needed, and also handles all purchasing for the organization.

Ashibir

Security

Ashibir makes sure that all the kids and our compound are safe. He is much more than a guard though. He helps facilitate the kids’ play whenever they are outside and sometimes jumps in himself! He recently became a father as well.

Marta

Cook

Marta makes sure that all the kids come and go with full bellies! She also prepares lunch for the the staff each day. We appreciate her work ethics and, of course, he delicious cooking. Marta worked abroad for a few years before returning to Ethiopia and sometimes blesses us with treats she learned how to make in other parts of the world.