Why Ethiopia and Why Now

9+ Million

children are out of school

52–61%

adult literacy rate nationwide

72%

live in multidimensional poverty Source: Ethiopian Policy

43%

poverty projected by 2025 Source: World Bank

OUR APPROACH

What We've Learned,
and How We Work

After more than a decade of walking with families in Ethiopia, we’ve seen one truth again and again: poverty is multi-dimension and impacts all areas of a family’s efforts to survive. Communities need holistic solutions. 

When families have access to education, health, and income support—they rise. And when one family rises, those around them rise, as well. 

Our work is community-led, church-supported, and grounded in relationships. We don’t implement for families, we implement with them. We equip local leaders to guide and own change at  every step. Churches serve as hubs of strength. And families co-create solutions that their communities can sustain.

COMMUNITY SELECTION

​How We Select Communities

We don’t choose locations lightly. Every community partner  is selected through a careful process that considers both need and readiness.

We focus our work where there are:
     ▪️ ​Low average income levels among families
     ▪️​ Low access to healthcare and education
     ▪️ ​High vulnerability among children and woman
     ▪️​ Strong presence of a trusted local church
     ▪️​ An openness from the community to participate and lead  change​
​​​
​We also look at existing barriers to opportunity—not just statistics, but stories. In every community where we work, local families are waiting for someone to walk with them. That’s where we step in.​​

THE CONTEXT

The Bigger Picture

Though our work is rooted in Ethiopia, our vision reaches further. The challenges among the global poor -access to healthcare, education, and income—are echoed around the world. As we continue to deepen our work in Ethiopia, we’re also looking forward towards replicating transformation sustainably.

Three Roots was designed to grow—carefully, relationally, and in deep partnership with local leaders wherever we go.

Want to see how communities like Jemanesh’s are transforming?

Learn How Families Thrive