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.

 

    
          
Agriculture


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Deme showing new crops

 

Project Mercy believes that providing a means for a sustainable food source is the key  to eradiating future famine.  Through our Agricultural Program, we strive to maintain family food security by using drip irrigation to grow fruits and vegetables.

 

Drip irrigation is an agricultural method that reduces evaporative water loss.  It works by slowly delivering small amounts of water directly to the roots through valves, pipes, tubing and emitters, conserving both water and fertilizer.   Through this technique, crop yield is increased, the quality of the fruits and vegetables is enhanced, and farmers are able to produce crops during droughts.  In addition, the higher yield will enable farmers to better feed their families and generate income from the sale of cash crops.

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Yetebon garden with irrigation

 

 

By the installation of drip irrigation systems, Project Mercy was able to introduce new vegetables and fruit to the area.  Since many in the Yetebon region eat high-fiber diets void of many essential nutrients, growing a larger variety of fruits and vegetables will enhance the nutrition of the community.  We have planted new varieties of vegetables and fruit trees in our gardens and plan to distribute them to families throughout the community. 

 

In the coming months, with the help of our partner ECHO, we plan to distribute fruit trees and drip irrigation kits to 1200 families in the Yetebon area.  Fruit trees are important because they are perennial in nature able to produce a stable yield of fruit, despite climate and rainfall fluctuations.  In addition, they provide vitamins (A and C), carbohydrates, and sugar.  So far, we have planted avocado, mango, lemon, and papaya trees with great results!

 
 
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