Project Mercy, Inc., is a U.S.-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit relief and development agency that promotes education, health care, and other holistic community development projects to create economically independent communities with high ethical and social values.

Summer Literacy Program

Thanks to support by Johnson & Johson, over 285 of our students spent the summer teaching basic reading and math skills, HIV/AIDS awareness, and improved agricultural practices to the surrounding community.

Agriculture Program

In the coming months, Project Mercy and ECHO will distribute fruit trees and drip irrigation systems to nearly 1200 local farmers.

Hope Bracelet Project

Thanks to the donations and support of prominent glass bead artists in the United States, Yetebon women and students have been trained in the fine art of jewelry design. The beautiful bracelets they produce are sold in the USA.

School Meal Program

Project Mercy provides each of our students two nourishing meals per day. Due to the poverty in the area, these could be the only meal the students receives all day.

Recreation Time!

The students at our Medhane-Alem School have the opportunity to play basketball, soccer, tag, jump rope, and to enjoy the delights of a swing set!

Glenn C. Olsen Hospital

We provide over 70,00 Yetebon community residents access to quality healthcare through our Glenn C. Olsen Primary General Hospital

HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center

Our hospital offers voluntary HIV/AIDS testing, virus information, and counseling

Health Education Classes

Free health education classes are offered at our hospital and at outreach sites around the community, covering such topics as personal hygiene, HIV/AIDS, environmental health, and disease control.

Women’s Skill Enhancement Program

Project Mercy trains women in a variety of marketable skills such as cotton spinning, basket weaving, embroidery, and jewelry making. The revenue from the products supports the women and their families.

Men’s Skill Enhancement

We train local men in trades such as metal fabrication, carpentry, and masonry. These men have constructed 80 percent of the structures at Yetebon.

Dairy Cattle Breeding

In order to combat malnutrition, we crossbreed more productive dairy heifers to increase milk availability in the Yetebon area.

HIV/AIDS Orphan Institute

Project Mercy currently cares for 30 children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. We are designing a holistic childcare program to accommodate the growing demand for orphan care in Ethiopia.

Medhane-Alem School

Project Mercy eduates 1360+ students in our K-11th grade school.  We believe that education will empower them to be leaders of their generation.

All-Season Road Construction

In order to provide year-round access to Yetebon, we constructed miles of all-season roads.

Clean Water

Project Mercy pumps clean water from a spring into the Yetebon Compound.  We also installed spigots around the community for better water access.

 

    
          
Dairy Cattle Breeding
The dramatic shortage of milk in Ethiopia is a major factor in the overall malnourishment of the population.  Many growing children lack the required daily amount (RDA) of milk in their diets, depriving them of vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy development.  The shortage of milk in Ethiopia, particularly in the Yetebon region, is due to the low milk production of local dairy cows.  These cows generally yield only about a liter of milk per day, much less than other varieties.

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In order to increase milk production, Project Mercy has brought two more productive breeds of indigenous dairy cattle to the Yetebon area.  These cows adjusted well to the climate and elevation and we were able to crossbreed these two varieties to produce dairy cattle with higher milk production levels.  In fact, the crossbred cows give upwards of four quarts per day—quadruple the amount of local cattle!


This success of the crossbreeding is very encouraging and prepares us to take the next important step in the Dairy Cattle Breeding Program.  With the help of Dr. Roy Coolman (a veterinarian), we plan to breed the Jersey cow with our crossbred cows.  Studies have shown that cross breeding with the Jersey cow could produce offspring that provide upwards of twelve quarts of milk per day— a twelve-fold increase!

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Marta and Deme with dairy bull


We believe the dramatic increased milk production will be life changing for many children and their families in Ethiopia.  Not only will it give an opportunity for many more children to benefit from milk in their diets, but it will also give the family a means for supplementing their income through the sale of extra milk and milk products.
 
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