Fundraising for a future 100-child campaign in Addis Ababa

Abyssinia Children of Hope family and shelter symbolAbyssinia Children of HopeHope, dignity, and opportunity
A mother and young child seated together outdoors.

Field stories

The people behind the urgent need.

Anonymized interview themes and documentary photographs illustrate why safe shelter, nutrition, protection, and family support are urgently needed.

What mothers told us

A common pattern of isolation, hunger, and unsafe nights.

Women and mothers living on the street described having no reliable person to support them and no stable way to support themselves. Many are caring for children without a partner present. Food is uncertain, and sleeping outdoors exposes families to serious risks.

Privacy and dignity

Names are withheld, and photographs are not linked to a particular interview account. The stories are presented as shared themes rather than as claims about any individual pictured. Images are approved for public use on a case-by-case basis by the organization.

Interview themes

Two pathways into street homelessness.

01

Abandoned during pregnancy

Some mothers said a partner ended the relationship and disappeared after learning about the pregnancy. Without income, family support, or a safe place to live, they were pushed into street homelessness and begging in order to survive and care for their children.

02

Widowed by war or serious illness

Other women described previously having a more stable life before losing a husband to war or an incurable illness. Because the household depended on his income and they had no independent livelihood, they were left with few options beyond asking for help on the street.

Documentary gallery

Repeated or near-duplicate images were omitted to protect dignity and keep the presentation focused.

A mother carrying an infant wrapped securely against her back outdoors.
Mothers described caring for infants without reliable shelter, food, or family support.
Two mothers seated outdoors with young children beside them.
Families living outside face hunger, unstable shelter, and daily uncertainty.
A mother holding a sleeping infant while wrapped together for warmth at night.
Sleeping outdoors creates serious health and safety risks for mothers and children.
A caregiver seated beside a fence while holding a bundled baby.
A lack of safe housing can leave caregivers and infants exposed in public spaces.
A mother seated outdoors with a sleeping infant and a young child nearby.
Many mothers carry the full responsibility of protecting and feeding their children alone.
A young child helping care for a toddler while seated outdoors.
Housing insecurity affects the routines, safety, and childhood of the entire family.
A mother and young child seated together outdoors with their belongings.
The photographs document urgent need without assigning an image to a specific interview.
A mother and infant resting together at night under a shared wrap.
ACOH's goal is to replace survival on the street with safety, care, and a path forward.

From evidence to action

Help create safety beyond the street.

ACOH's campaign is designed to connect vulnerable children and families with food, shelter, healthcare, education, protection, mentorship, and stronger family support.

Explore the 2026 campaignSupport the mission