Abenezer S is 14 years old and is in 7th grade at Ammanuel Middle School in Kara Kore, Ethiopia. He is a hard working student, and is at the top of his class.
 

Abenezer's mother, Endashash, was forced into an arranged marriage when she was 9 years old. She had a baby several years later, but lost the child from illness. She fled her marriage and moved to the capital city, Addis Ababa, to find a better life. She married Abenezer's father, but he is rarely around and does not provide for them. She Endashash has been the sole provider for Abenezer. She picks up odd jobs as a cleaning lady or day laborer, but her income is too low to provide daily meals for both of them. If Abenezer is sponsored for $35/month, he will receive daily meals, after school tutoring, and basic medical care. If his mother is sponsored for an additional $15 a month, they will both receive monthly food rations and medical care, and his mother will be given priority to enroll in our Family Business Program, where they will be empowered to start their own small business and earn an income.