Building Hope. Breaking Barriers. Changing Lives.

In Ethiopia, access to life-saving medicines and equipment is often the difference between life and death. Every year, over 14,000 mothers die from preventable causes related to childbirth (WHO, 2024), and 1 in 15 children dies before the age of five—many because hospitals and health centers lack even the most basic medical resources.

The situation worsened during the recent conflict and displacement crisis, where health systems in affected regions were pushed to the brink, and vulnerable populations—especially women, children, the elderly, and the mentally ill—were left with almost no access to care.

At Cornerstone, supported by YetmAyehu Foundation (USA), we are stepping in where the gaps are deepest—delivering essential medicines and equipment that save lives every single day.

Delivering essential medicines and equipment where they are needed most.
Partnering with hospitals, shelters, and local health authorities to fill urgent resource gaps.
Supporting communities in crisis and strengthening Ethiopia's fragile healthcare system.

We believe no one should die because a hospital is missing basic supplies. By continuing to deliver critical medicines and equipment, we are building a healthier, more equitable Ethiopia—one shipment, one hospital, one life at a time.

Across Ethiopia, youth homelessness is more than a statistic—it's a crisis of dignity, opportunity, and survival.

- In Addis Ababa, an estimated 50,000 people are street homeless, of whom 42% are under 18—many face daily risks of exploitation, trafficking, and violence.
- A study in southern Ethiopia revealed that 38.2% of street-dwelling youth experience suicidal thoughts, driven by stigma, trauma, and lack of support.
- Many of these youth migrate from rural areas in search of education or work—only to find themselves trapped in poverty and hopelessness.

Why Now
- With 3.14–3.45 million internally displaced people reported in Ethiopia as of mid-2023, youth remain among the most vulnerable and underserved.
- Without urgent action, homelessness will continue to rob Ethiopia's next generation of education, health, and hope.
- Mental health and trauma among homeless youth remain largely invisible and untreated.

Now is the time to build a solution that does more than provide shelter—it restores futures.

This self-sustaining community will provide:
- Safe housing and care for homeless and vulnerable youth.
- Education and vocational training to equip them with marketable skills.
- Healthcare and mental health support to heal and restore dignity.
- Social enterprises such as agriculture, livestock, and small businesses that will generate income and help youth become self-reliant.

This is not just a shelter—it's a launchpad for potential. By investing in Ethiopia's youth, we are laying the foundation for a skilled, independent generation capable of breaking cycles of poverty and transforming communities.

Transform street life into stability. Equip youth with education, healthcare, and self-reliance. Create a self-sustaining model that empowers youth to thrive and reinvest in their communities.

In Ethiopia, dental care is often a luxury that vulnerable children cannot access. Poor oral hygiene can lead to pain, infections, missed school days, and low self-esteem. For children living in orphanages, oral health is frequently overlooked despite being essential for their overall well-being, confidence, and ability to thrive.

Many of these children have never received a dental screening, leaving cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues undetected and untreated. Without access to basic dental care tools like toothbrushes and toothpaste, maintaining healthy teeth becomes nearly impossible.

On August 29, 2025, with the generous support of the YetmAyehu Foundation (USA), Cornerstone Charity Organization conducted a comprehensive dental screening for over 50 children at Zewditu Meshesha Orphanage. Many of these children had never been screened before, and the check-ups provided critical insights into their oral health status.

To complement the screening, we distributed dental care kits—including toothbrushes and toothpaste—for 100 children, ensuring that every child in the orphanage has the tools to maintain healthy smiles.

The impact was immediate:
- Children received their first-ever dental screening, identifying issues early.
- Every child gained access to essential oral hygiene tools.
- Health education sessions helped children understand the importance of daily dental care.
- Smiles returned to faces that had been living with dental pain and discomfort.

Conducting dental screenings to identify and address oral health issues early.
Distributing dental care kits with toothbrushes and toothpaste to ensure ongoing care.
Providing health education to foster long-term healthy habits.
Partnering with local orphanages and health workers to reach the most vulnerable children.

This initiative is more than a one-time donation—it's a step toward fostering long-term health habits and showing every child that their well-being matters. At Cornerstone, we are committed to building healthier, brighter futures, one smile at a time.

We believe that every child deserves not only education and shelter but also the gift of good health and dignity. Together, we can continue to restore dignity and hope—because every child deserves to smile without pain.