Medan Initiative

We are incredibly grateful for two extraordinary members of our team working on the ground in Ethiopia — Ayinalem, our school nurse, and Dr. Simret, our care coordinator.

Ayinalem has been serving alongside us for several years now, providing compassionate care and unwavering support to the students at RAEY School. Her commitment to the health and well-being of these kids has made a lasting impact on countless lives.

Dr. Simret first joined our work when she served as a translator for our 2026 team. During that week, it became clear that her passion, leadership, and dedication extended for beyond translation. Following the trip, we invited her to join our team year-round as our care coordinator, and she has quickly become an invaluable part of our mission.

Because of the work of these two, we were able to launch an important new initiative today — the distribution of Albendazole to every student at RAEY School. This preventative treatment (which will occur every six months) will help protect students from parasitic infections, which can negatively affect growth, nutrition, and overall health, while also causing many of the gastrointestinal symptoms our medical teams frequently address. This initiative represents more than a single day of treatment — it reflects our commitment to building sustainable, year-round programs that improve children’s health and create opportunities for them to thrive.

We are continually reminded of God’s provision for people like Ayinalem and Dr. Simret. They make it possible for us to carry out this work and increase our impact.

On Sunday, August 9, Tim, Liam, and Girum are taking on a triathlon for a purpose!

They will be competing as a team in the Lititz recCenter annual triathlon relay to raise funds for nutrition support at RAEY School in Ethiopia. Our goal is to raise $6,000 — enough to provide all 340 students at RAEY School with 2 meals every day for 3 months.

In recent months, rising food cost and inflation have made it increasingly difficult for the school to keep up with the expense of providing two daily meals. We are working to help subsidize these costs so that students can continue receiving the nutrition that they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Every donation, no matter the size, will help ensure that all 340 students continue to have access to reliable, nutritious meals.

Please consider supporting Tim, Liam, and Girum, as they swim, bike, and run to make a difference! Together, we can turn every mile into meals!

Most of all, I will always be grateful for the overwhelming kindness, love, and joy I experienced throughout the trip.

Emma Theroux, MA

The Kindness That Changed Me - Medan Initiative Most of all, I will always be grateful for the overwhelming kindness, love, and joy I experienced throughout the trip.

The moments that stayed with me most from Ethiopia were the quiet, deeply human ones.

Heather Adkin, RN

The Moments That Stayed With Me - Medan Initiative The moments that stayed with me most from Ethiopia were the quiet, deeply human ones.