What We Do
Roots Ethiopia works side by side with communities in rural Ethiopia to improve schools, educate children, and help women start businesses and earn on their own terms. These are community priorities, so they are our priorities.
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Real people. Real change. Read the stories coming out of rural Ethiopia every month.
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Kids staying in school. Women running their own businesses. Communities setting their own priorities. See how it works.
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Join The Roots, our community of monthly donors. A monthly gift makes the biggest impact. But however you give, one time donations, stocks, DAFs, or a planned gift, your loving support gets right to work in rural Ethiopia.
Recent Stories
Roots Ethiopia spent seven days at ESFNA 2026 in the Twin Cities. Here's what we witnessed, who we met, and why this Ethiopian diaspora gathering felt like home.
A $20 start-up fund changed everything for Desta, a mother of five in rural southern Ethiopia. Read her story and support a SHE entrepreneur today.
In rural Ethiopia, a primary school just made history — the first science lab at the primary level in all of Shashogo Woreda. Here's the full story of what changed at Shamo Boyo, from the youngest preschoolers to Grade 8 students preparing for the exam of their lives.
Every month, children learn and women earn. Monthly donors make a sustaining impact, month after month. Join the Roots.
Every one-time gift is your meaningful support put right to work. Give Today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you ever had a question and didn’t know where to find the answer? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some things you might not know about Roots Ethiopia.
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The Story Behind Our Logo
Ever wondered about that sweet house on our logo? It’s not just any home – it’s a ‘gojo bet’; a traditional Ethiopian home.
These unique round houses are skillfully crafted from grass, mud, and wood or bamboo. Each region of Ethiopia adds its own character, creating a rich tapestry of architectural styles across the country
The gojo bet logo celebrates the essence of daily life in Ethiopia. When you see the logo, remember – you’re not just looking at a house, you’re experiencing your place in the Roots Ethiopia family!
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How can I support women in Ethiopia?
Roots Ethiopia runs SHE (Self-Help Entrepreneurs), a network of 86 women's business and savings groups across rural southern Ethiopia, supporting nearly 1,720 women, 20 per group.
Through SHE, women build businesses, save, and reinvest to grow their work, earning on their own terms while building leadership and confidence to help build better futures for their families and their communities.
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How can I support education in Ethiopia?
Roots Ethiopia funds Ethiopian-led education programs across 31 school improvement projects in rural southern Ethiopia, things like a school's first library, a hands-on science lab, sports teams, and desks for students who've never had one.
Every gift goes into a pooled fund, so your support reaches entire school communities.
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A 4WD With A Heart of Gold
Meet “Fikir,” our trusty four-wheel drive! Her name means “love” in Amharic. She lives up to her name! Our helpful driver chose this perfect name because he treats Fikir with so much TLC, you’d think she was made of gold.
Want proof of this vehicular love story? Just peek under Fikir’s hood! Her engine is so clean and shiny, you could eat off it (but please don’t!). This spotless powerhouse keeps Fikir running smoothly on Ethiopia’s toughest roads since 2018.
Fikir carries staff, field materials, your love and support, and often a whole lot of supplies across Ethiopia. Next time you see a picture of gifts put to work in far-flung areas, remember: Fikir has YOUR HELP getting there!
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Did you know Roots Ethiopia delivers support from two locations?
In the capital city of Addis Ababa, the country office is alive with activity. Here, 10 dedicated staff members handle the big picture tasks – from HR to finance. They’re experts at shared leadership, keeping Roots Ethiopia running smoothly.
Five hours away in Durame, the field office is where your support turns into action. Seven caring team members spend their days making a difference. They work directly with kids, families, and schools, bringing generosity to life.
Together, these 17 amazing men and women are the heart of Roots Ethiopia’s every day work, delivering the help you care so much about.
Whether in the city or the countryside, our skilled staff is working towards one goal: changing lives through the gifts you give to support education and job creation. That’s teamwork that shines!
