Dear Supporters,

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you! As of December 1, 2023, African Hopeful Horizons has officially achieved nonprofit status. This milestone is a testament to the incredible support we've received, starting with a fundraiser I organized for the wonderful people of Logia village in the Afar region of Ethiopia.

During my trip to Ethiopia in June 2023, I had the privilege of meeting the village leader, Haysema. He shared the heartbreaking story of a dust storm that destroyed their tent school, and I promised him that I would return with school supplies for the children. Four months later, unable to shake that promise from my mind, I decided to go back.

Initially, I set a goal to raise $1,800 for school supplies, but thanks to the generosity of many, I raised $3,000 in just one week. Over the next six weeks, that total soared to an astounding $30,000! With this support, I applied for nonprofit status and was overjoyed to receive approval in December 2023.

I packed seven large suitcases filled with supplies and returned to Ethiopia. My first stop was back to the Logia school, where I provided books, pens, pencils, solar calculators, art supplies, shoes, and clothing donated by friends and supporters.

Next, I traveled to the Omo Valley and visited the Regea Elementary School in Kibish village, sharing the same essential supplies. My final stop was the Guh Freselam School in the Tigray region, which had been devastated by a three-year war. I dedicated significant efforts there to help with their rebuilding.

After this trip, I organized a board of directors and intensified our efforts to support the Guh Freselam School. We rebuilt the walls for safety and cemented the dirt floors in the classrooms. We also provided desks for 126 students. Six months later, I returned with nine large suitcases filled with supplies: backpacks, pens, maps, rulers, crayons—everything the kids needed for the upcoming school year. Additionally, I was gifted five computers from two generous donors to enhance their learning experience.

We celebrated this achievement with a feast, sharing traditional Ethiopian food and two goats. The joy and gratitude from the students, teachers, and parents were overwhelming, and I cannot thank you enough for making it possible.

Now, we have embarked on a new project to create a sustainable chicken farm. The village members have agreed to build a chicken coop, and African Hopeful Horizons will provide roosters and egg-laying hens. This initiative aims to help the community sustain itself and generate profit, primarily to provide lunch for the students. A nourishing meal will promote learning and encourage the children to attend school.

Education is the key to survival, prosperity, and growth for these children. They were born into their circumstances through no fault of their own, and your generosity has been a lifeline. We have expanded our program from providing school supplies to implementing a lunch program. During my trip in June 2024, I realized that while school supplies are vital, nutrition plays a significant role in learning. If these kids don’t receive a proper meal every day, their ability to learn diminishes.

To ensure sustainability, I proposed a chicken farming initiative that would provide eggs for the lunch program and generate revenue to maintain it. I informed the village leader that I would purchase the chickens if they built the coop. In September, they began construction. Once completed, we supplied roofing, windows, doors, and 50 chickens, with an additional three donated by the seller.

On November 25th, just three days before Thanksgiving, we served the first lunches to the 127 students. Receiving photos of the chickens, the coop, and the students enjoying their meals filled my heart with warmth and pride. This is just the beginning. We are committed to acquiring 50 more chickens in January, building a dedicated lunchroom for the students, and establishing an incubator and an additional coop for breeding.

We hope to complete this project by early 2025 and expand to a neighboring village. Together, we are making a difference, and I am immensely grateful for your ongoing support. Please consider making a donation at africanhopefulhorizons.org.

My aspiration is that by the end of this year, the chickens will have doubled in number and that each student will receive a full meal every day. Thank you for helping so many!

Warm regards,

Michael Herbert  

Founder, African Hopeful Horizons

We believe that by investing in children, we are investing in the future of our society.