⌛Where Are They Now: Hiwot’s journey from sponsored child to teacher

I grew up in a close-knit home filled with love and support from my family and community. But we experienced a terrible tragedy when I was young, as my father died when I was just four years old.

Because of this, I was selected as a candidate for the sponsorship program through Children Believe. My Canadian sponsor provided amazing support for my education, healthcare, and other life needs for 18 years. And it was because of this that my memories of holiday celebrations were filled with joy.

Through girls’ clubs and university forums, I learned about child rights, gender equality, and social justice, which led to my childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. But as I grew, I decided to pursue teaching.

Today, I’m proud to be a teacher in a primary school in my community, having an impact on the lives of youth who remind me of myself at that age.

As a passionate educator, my students and my family call me “Emuti” (my lovely mother). I have faced adversity, but I have the resilience and determination to overcome. And I hope to provide that for the children I teach.

I have an even bigger ambition now. I dream of opening my own school to educate underprivileged children in my neighbourhood, just like how I had help through Children Believe.

Without sponsorship assistance my life could have taken a different path. It would have been so hard to achieve what I have today. Thank you.

You can make a difference today by sponsoring a child like Hiwot in Ethiopia. Discover how your support can transform lives!

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance:

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.