ETHIOPIA
about ethiopia
Location: africa
Language: amharic
Ethiopia is in the Horn of Africa, and it is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture. Ethiopia is one of the few countries in the world that uses a different calendar, called the Eritrean Calendar. It’s also one of two countries that still uses Ge’ez script, which is one of the most ancient written languages in the world. The cities in Ethiopia are rapidly developing and cultural pride is extremely strong among its people.
About Repi, Addis Ababa
Also known as Kore or Koshe, which means “dirty” in Amharic, this dumpsite began in 1964 and holds the trash of 5 million people living in or near the capital of Ethiopia. About 500 people make a living at the site, which the government unsuccessfully tried to close in 2014 but could not when residents in a nearby region fought back against placing a dump on their land. In May of 2017, a landslide at the dump killed more than 113 people, according to this report in The New York Times, including one of our scholarship students and many of our scholar’s family members and friends. A close-knit community lives near the dump, made up of families who have a loved one affected by leprosy or HIV/AIDS.
What we do here
Give Scholarships
We currently support the education of over 100 students in Ethiopia through our Step by Step program.
Fund Startups
We support entrepreneurs by raising funds for their businesses, after a business proposal and approval process.
Advocate
We advocate for the individuals in these communities by bringing their stories back to the U.S.
Who we’ve impacted
Note: We are committed to respecting and uplifting our scholars. Due to some stories containing sensitive information, we redact or change the names of the scholars, their parents, their schools, and other details that could compromise their anonymity.
Faith, Hope, Love
I see our organization as a beacon of light, a force for good. The Samaritan Scholars and team members I work with are a testament to the boundless power of faith, hope, and love to transform lives and uplift communities.
Faith
At the heart of International Samaritan beats a rhythm of faith—a steadfast belief in the inherent goodness of humanity and the potential for positive change. This faith is mirrored in your unwavering support. It is reflected in the tireless dedication of the international team who selflessly give of themselves. Their faith is a beacon of hope, guiding them as they work tirelessly to uplift the lives of others.
Monique Brisco (left), our project assistant, with Samaritan Scholars at a recent awards banquet.
Monique is our project assistant and is the heart of our team here in Jamaica. She inspires not only us but the scholars and the wider community. Monique has lived in the Riverton community, next to the city garbage dump, all her life. She is raising her children in the community. Why? Because she has faith that better will come and has come. She lives and breathes the mission of International Samaritan, which is to walk hand in hand with people in communities near garbage dumps to break the chains of poverty and improve all our lives. Her faith guides her and the work she does.
Hope
Hope, too, is a cornerstone of the International Samaritan mission. It is seen in the eyes of the scholars—bright with promise and determination—and in the hearts of their families, who rise each day with renewed optimism and resilience. Despite the challenges they face, they dare to dream of a better tomorrow, buoyed by the knowledge that they are not alone. For within the embrace of International Samaritan, they find a community of supporters who believe in their potential and are committed to helping them achieve their goals.
Malayia at the 2024 Carifta Games where she won two gold medals!
Malayia’s dream is to pursue a career in track and field. This 14-year-old student hopes for a brighter today and tomorrow for herself, her family, and community. But not only does she have hope for a brighter future, she gives hope to the community and younger scholars who see her as a role model full of possibilities for the future.
Love
But perhaps most of all, International Samaritan is a testament to the transformative power of love. Love plays an important part in the work we do. We love the scholars unconditionally. For some of them, the love we share is the only love that is shown to them. They actively seek us out for hugs and words of affirmation.
It is a love that knows no boundaries, reaching across continents and cultures to touch the lives of those in need. This love is evident in every word spoken and every deed done on behalf of the scholars—in the hugs shared and the words of affirmation offered freely. It is a love that transcends language and circumstance, binding together individuals from all walks of life in a common bond of compassion and solidarity.
We want our scholars to know that they are loved. That we believe in them. That we have faith and hope in them and what they can accomplish. But most importantly we love them as they are, unconditionally, while we help them become the best versions of themselves.
(Left) Shontoya at a recent awards ceremony. (Right) Kylah and Zoe, University of Toledo Honors students, visit with Shontoya on a recent service trip to Jamaica.
Our scholar Shontoya is a final-year nursing student who epitomizes love. She is fearless, ambitious, and a true extrovert. She shows love by embracing everyone, making them feel at ease and welcomed. I have seen her draw our quietest scholars and visitors out of their shells.
In the end, International Samaritan is more than just an organization: It is a living embodiment of faith, hope, and love in action. It is a testament to the belief that by working together, we can create a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. And as long as there are those willing to extend a hand in friendship and support, there will always be hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Sonja M. Robinson, Program Director
Sonja holds a Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Education from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Communication for Social and Behavior Change from the University of the West Indies. She has played the roles of counselor, mentor, trainer, and educator. Sonja believes in living a life of purpose and service.
Faith, Hope, Love
I see our organization as a beacon of light, a force for good. The Samaritan Scholars and team members I work with are a testament to the boundless power of faith, hope, and love to transform lives and uplift communities.FaithAt the heart of International Samaritan...
A 180-Degree Turn
Working as our Program Director in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, I regularly see one of the worst forms of child labor: children working in garbage dumps. And yet I also get the chance to tell students, in person, that there's another way. By studying and working hard at...
8 Over 80
In just about every big city, a 40 under 40 list is published each year to recognize 40 people under the age of 40 who accomplished something special that year. It’s supposed to be a big deal, but is it really? Heck, you can do so many things under 40. Do something...
Filling the Gap
A note from Mike ...In our mission to help people break out of poverty, we find it helpful not just to study the causes of poverty but also the causes of prosperity too. Factors ranging from national policy issues to cultural values and local community challenges can...
A Race to Remember
Every year, we host a global 5K run, aiming to raise funds to support education for young scholars. However, in 2023, something extraordinary happened. Amidst the crowd of determined athletes, a young man named Mihretu emerged, not just as a winner but as a star. He...
About Us
International Samaritan is a nonprofit organization with the designation 501(c)(3). Our headquarters is located in Ann Arbor Michigan.
