A man in overalls standing in a garden.

Our Philosophy

Our model focuses on five areas of impact that, when combined, catalyze thriving communities. The challenges our communities face are complex and require us to be collaborative and to respond and adapt to changing environments, contexts, and needs.  That’s why we must consider the root causes of an issue in order to solve it.

Instead of focusing on one challenge at a time, we identify what it takes for a whole person to thrive.
When a child receives an education, there must be economic opportunities awaiting them.
If we treat symptoms of malnutrition in the clinic, then we must also prevent them by improving nutrition and agricultural production.

And, when we teach good hygiene practices, the water that people bathe in and drink from should be clean and accessible.

At Project Mercy, we base our programmatic work around this ideology and in doing so, we address the realities that shape people’s lives and create deep and long-lasting impact.
Overview
According to UNICEF, Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in education in the last decade, yet schools remain scarce in rural and hard-to-reach areas and the mountainous landscapes make the walk to school more burdensome. Approximately 2.6 million children are out of school (1.4 million of which are girls), and those that do enroll don’t always complete their education due to civil unrest, persistent levels of poverty, the pressures of gender norms at home, particularly in relation to domestic work, and long distances to school.
Solution
We enable individuals to break the cycle of poverty through quality education, inclusive learning environments, and comprehensive academic and vocational programs. Education is core to our holistic approach and plays a defining role in each area of impact, in addition to our specific focus on early childhood development, girl education, child nutrition, and adult skills training.
Results
1,800
Children educated annually
96%
Pass rate for grade 8
10,000
Adults have participated in the literacy and numeracy training programs to date
161
Former students graduated from universities in agriculture, business, accounting, computer engineering, architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, medicine and more
62
Student-teachers trained
Impact Stories
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Education
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July 10, 2023
Inspiring Excellence: Belete Biratu's Dedication to Quality Education
Meet Belete, the dedicated High School Principal at Medhane-Alem School, committed to providing top-notch education and nurturing future leaders with care.
Education
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July 10, 2023
Guiding with Compassion: Meskerem Mulugeta's Journey as a High School Counselor
Meet Meskerem, a dedicated high school counselor at Medhane-Alem School. Through her nurturing approach and genuine care, she provides a safe space for students to be heard and supported.
Education
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July 1, 2023
Empowering Communities: Medhane-Alem Kindergarten's Impact in Ethiopia
Medhane-Alem Kindergarten in Yetebon fosters hope and learning, attracting dedicated educators like Tsehay Mekonen to make a profound impact.
Overview
Massive strides have been taken to improve the access and quality of healthcare services across Africa. Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) has significantly improved in Ethiopia in recent years, and whilst malnutrition continues to be a public health issue, stunting has declined. These are positive advancements; however, large disparities still exist across the continent, particularly between rural and urban areas. In remote regions, a lack of capacity, staffing, knowledge and equipment is a stark reality, even where community health clinics are accessible.
Solution
We improve healthcare access and maternal care, and train health workers to promote well-being and empower communities with essential medical services.Women with access to maternal care have a higher chance of giving birth to healthy babies. Well-nourished children can focus in class and grow into productive members of society who can take advantage of economic opportunities and reduce the huge burden on the public sector.
Results
11,200
Total hospital patients per annum
125
Midwives and 47 health extension workers, to date, have completed their studies at the Project Mercy Health Science College and returned to their rural communities to serve
Impact Stories
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Health
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August 14, 2023
Nurturing New Life: Cheru Tulu's Dedication to Safe Births in Ethiopia
Cheru Tulu, a compassionate midwife-nurse, is on a mission to ensure safe deliveries at Glenn Charles Olsen Memorial Primary Hospital and has made a transformative impact.
Health
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August 14, 2023
Healing with Compassion: Sister Meseret Ayalew's Impact on Maternal and Child Healthcare
Sister Meseret, a dedicated health worker in Jigjiga, ensures safe deliveries and comprehensive care at Glenn C. Olsen Memorial Hospital.
Health
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August 14, 2023
Safe Haven for Mothers: Gelila Birhane's Birth Story at Glenn C. Olsen Memorial Hospital
Gelila Birhane, a mother of two, opts for Glenn C. Olsen Memorial Hospital for excellent healthcare despite the commute, receiving c-section and postnatal care for her and her newborn.
Impact Stories
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Overview
Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is growing at a rate of 2.7% a year. That means by 2050, Africa’s population will have doubled, increasing vulnerability to food shortages. These figures, paired with climate change, a high unemployment rate and continuing levels of poverty, demonstrate the urgent and timely need for sustainable solutions to improved nutrition on the continent.
Solution
We enhance sustainable agriculture, increase crop productivity, and raise awareness about nutrition to ensure communities have access to nutritious food and eradicate hunger and malnutrition.Our innovative and novel approaches to nutrition equip smallholder farmers with the knowledge and resources to thrive and adapt to increasing food insecurity.
Results
4,000
Avocado seedlings distributed
180
Fruit trees distributed to smallholder farmers and their families
36
Pregnant heifers distributed via the Project Mercy breeding program
396
Total animals distributed to date through the PM breeding program
1,538
Students at Medhane-Alem School receiving eggs via the poultry program
Impact Stories
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Nutrition
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October 2, 2023
Empowering Dairy Production: Ato Tesfaye's Expertise in Artificial Insemination
Ato Temesgen Abate leads Project Mercy's Dairy Production Improvement Project in ChaCha, Ethiopia, training technicians and farmers for hybrid cow breeding, aiming to boost dairy production.
Nutrition
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September 24, 2023
Growing Hope: Ato Temesgen Abate's Impact on Dairy Production in Ethiopia
Discover how Ato Temesgen Abate, Project Mercy's Dairy Production Improvement Project Manager, is leading a transformative initiative to increase dairy production in Ethiopia's ChaCha region
Nutrition
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September 18, 2023
From Struggle to Success: Aregash Yeheyi's Journey with the Dairy Breeding Program
Aregash transformed her family's life with Project Mercy's Dairy Cattle Breeding Program, ensuring ample milk for her children and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Overview
Despite progress across Ethiopia, rural communities, which make up over 81% of the total population, still grapple with challenges like insufficient clean water, inadequate waste management, and poor roads. This hinders access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, impacting overall well-being. Many rural households still walk over 30 minutes for safe drinking water, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure to bridge the gap between urban and rural development.
Solution
We build resilient communities by improving access to clean water, sanitation facilities, roads and new farming methods for better living conditions and sustainable development.Whilst our efforts today focus on the supply of clean drinking water, we have proudly improved support systems, including the development of 25 kilometers of road, facilitating access to community services, critical healthcare, workplaces, and markets, and promoting local trade and job diversity.
Results
3
Water sources
4
Reservoirs containing 100,000 liters
20
Water distribution points
15
Kilometers of water lines connecting our systems
30,000
Residents with access to clean water, including 6 schools, and one hospital
Impact Stories
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Education
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March 8, 2023
Empowering Innovation: Tesfu's Journey as a Young Inventor
Tesfu, an 11th-grade student, showcases his talent for building machines, aiming to produce affordable farming solutions for his community.
Overview
Over the last decade, Ethiopia’s labor force has positively transitioned from informal employment to more formal employment. However, due to poor infrastructure and education, economic opportunities and job diversity remain low in rural regions, particularly for women. Furthermore, Africa, like the rest of the world, has suffered the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which for Ethiopia was paired with civil unrest, conflicts and severe drought and weather conditions.
Solution
We equip individuals with vocational training, entrepreneurship support, financial literacy education and savings methods, to foster economic self-reliance, create job opportunities, and stimulate local economies.To create thriving communities, it is essential that barriers are broken and that individuals can access diverse economic opportunities so that they can be productive members of society, support their families and gain a sense of purpose and heightened well-being.
Results
800
Farming families part of coffee farmers association across ten kebles
120,000
Coffee seedlings have been raised and distributed
442
Animals have been distributed to smallholder farmer families
600
Calves born through the work of artificial insemination specialists
1,000
Animals added to the community through their breeding follow-ups
9,000
Eggs distributed per week from the Project Mercy farm for our students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade
Impact Stories
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Economic Empowerment
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March 6, 2024
Abaynesh's Story as an Artificial Insemination Technician
Discover the inspiring journey of Abaynesh, a graduate of Project Mercy's artificial insemination trainee program in Ethiopia.
Economic Empowerment
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December 2, 2023
Bekelu's Journey with Project Mercy's Dairy Program
Bekelu, aided by Project Mercy, acquired a Jersey cow but desired a female calf for dairy sales. Despite this, she diligently cares for the cow, yielding around 5 liters of milk daily.
Economic Empowerment
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November 25, 2023
Empowering Artisans: Gorfnesh's Story of Economic Transformation
Gorfnesh, a skilled basket weaver in Butajira, Ethiopia, earns 800 Birr per product, transforming her mud house to brick and supporting her family.