World Orphans

During the most difficult season of my life, after losing my husband, I connected with the WOG ministry through visits from Pastor Efraín’s church. My husband struggled with addiction and violence, and he left behind deep pain in our family. At that time, I felt completely broken and didn’t know where to begin.

Through the Economic Empowerment program, I joined a cooking workshop. It was there that I discovered a passion I never knew I had: learning new skills, following recipes, and especially making donuts. That small space became a refuge for me, a place where I began to regain hope. The church also supported me during times of great need, even bringing groceries when we had nothing to eat. That gesture touched my heart deeply. I also received guidance from a WOG psychologist, who helped me navigate a legal issue involving one of my children. Her support gave me clarity and strength during a very difficult time. I joined the Parenting School as well, and now I attend with my oldest daughter. Together, we’ve learned so much not just about becoming better as a mother and daughter, but also about healing from the past.

Today, I’m proud to say I’ve cooked for events with over 70 people, something I never imagined I could do. I dream of starting my own catering business, and little by little, I’m building it. I’m deeply grateful to the donors, to the church, and above all, to God. He gives me the strength and wisdom to keep going every day. My journey has been one of healing, growth, and hope, and I know there’s still so much more ahead.

My name is Bayisse, and I am a mother of three children. My children's father left me when I was five months pregnant. After I gave birth to my daughter, I went from house to house baking injera, but even though I worked, we had a hard time eating. One day, I had nothing to eat. After I finished baking, I stole two loaves of injera and took it. The depth of my problem had reached this point. I heard that the Birhane Wengel Church was offering help, so I went and registered and entered. Then I took a loan and bought chickens. Then, I baked injera and started selling it. Now I am selling the injera I bake to a hotel because it is very profitable. My goal in the future is to make injera on a large scale.

I am very blessed, and I have changed.

First, I thank God. Second, I thank the people from abroad who helped me without knowing me.

During the most difficult season of my life, after losing my husband, I connected with the WOG ministry through visits from Pastor Efraín’s church. My husband struggled with addiction and violence, and he left behind deep pain in our family. At that time, I felt completely broken and didn’t know where to begin.

Through the Economic Empowerment program, I joined a cooking workshop. It was there that I discovered a passion I never knew I had: learning new skills, following recipes, and especially making donuts. That small space became a refuge for me, a place where I began to regain hope.

The church also supported me during times of great need, even bringing groceries when we had nothing to eat. That gesture touched my heart deeply. I also received guidance from a WOG psychologist, who helped me navigate a legal issue involving one of my children. Her support gave me clarity and strength during a very difficult time.

I joined the Parenting School as well, and now I attend with my oldest daughter. Together, we’ve learned so much not just about becoming better as a mother and daughter, but also about healing from the past.

Today, I’m proud to say I’ve cooked for events with over 70 people, something I never imagined I could do. I dream of starting my own catering business, and little by little, I’m building it.

I’m deeply grateful to the donors, to the church, and above all, to God. He gives me the strength and wisdom to keep going every day. My journey has been one of healing, growth, and hope, and I know there’s still so much more ahead.

Imagine a world where mothers are forced to give up their children to orphanages because of extreme poverty.

We want to imagine a world where no mother ever has to make that choice.

Family preservation keeps children out of orphanages.