COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

Ashley Meredith • May 5, 2020

Dear M.O.R.E. Family,


We come to you with the hope that you and your family are staying safe and healthy during these challenging times. This international crisis has left many of us feeling anxious, fearful, and uncertain about the future, yet we still wish to connect with and help others who are much less fortunate than we are.


COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in every part of the world, however the people in Ethiopia are facing significant challenges because of the hardships of the virus mixed with extreme poverty.  Without access to food, clean water, and other necessary supplies including medicine, the Medhen Orphan Relief Effort (M.O.R.E.) community of orphaned and vulnerable children, their caregivers, and the support staff at our Medhen Social Center (MSC) in Addis Ababa are suffering.  Sheltering-at-home is a hardship considering the size, conditions and number of people living in the small homes and very densely populated neighborhoods.


Further, the impact of COVID-19 has almost doubled the demand for services that M.O.R.E. provides because many previously successful and independent program graduates, who are now simply struggling to survive due to loss of employment and other unimaginable hardships, are returning for assistance  –  all without any government support or special funding. They are out of jobs, they cannot find food, and they feel trapped in a world of distress. Remembering a source of comfort and past support, they are asking MSC for help.


While we cannot entirely fix this unfortunate situation, with your help, we can give the people of MSC a glimmer of hope during an unpredictable time. This is truly an emergency with life or death consequences. We kindly ask you, our M.O.R.E supporters, to extend your generosity to help us create an emergency fund for the vulnerable people being helped through MSC. We have pledged initial support of $27,000; anything raised in excess of this amount will be used to create an ongoing emergency fund to be distributed based on future needs. 


While we all may be feeling a little stir-crazy in our homes, it is important for us to find balance and celebrate the “tiny wins” in our everyday life.  With your donation we can create a “big win” as we support this fragile community together during this turbulent time.


Please  donate  today! 


Tender Tuesday #4

By Kimberly Poulo • December 23, 2025
Sister Senkenesh Gebre-Mariam has devoted her life to uplifting the children and community at the Medhen Social Center. She is an icon of love and compassion, and a role model to many. Here are three things you may not know about our Sister: 1. She trained her whole staff to see people beyond their labels. Instead of focusing only on needs, she helps her team use asset and strength-based care, recognizing people’s gifts and stories, not just their challenges. 2. Her vision helps to serve thousands of people a month, and she believes in partnership. Real change happens with one another. 3. She leads with love in action, and unwavering tender care is what guides everything she does. Celebrate Sister and her impactful work with a gift on this Tender Tuesday. Visit www.morechildren.org to find out MORE!

Tender Tuesday #3

By Kimberly Poulo • December 16, 2025
The staff members at the Medhen Social Center (MSC) are truly exceptional. They are dedicated people who work with compassion and determination to help the children and their families every single day. From the social workers to the teachers to the administration and beyond, every staff member exemplifies the definition of tenderness. They are not only committed to the well-being of the children and families they serve, but they also build strength within the entire community as well. During a conversation with one of the social workers, he mentioned he will often stop by to check in and say hello to the some of the families, even during days where he is not “working”. He let us know he does this because he genuinely enjoys what he does, and because he wholeheartedly wants to. His heart is immersed within the community, and thus inspires all of us to share and spread the love. May this Tender Tuesday bring you a sense of warmth, joy, and of course, tenderness. 

Tender Tuesday #2

By Kimberly Poulo • December 9, 2025
Hello there, Tender Tuesday. What do physical health, intellectual growth, and emotional well-being all have in common? Every child assisted by MSC receives attention to all three, benefitting from a network of home-based care that pairs kids needing families with families that have love to give. MSC’s unique model offers a loving and holistic approach that is essential for children to grow and thrive. Support for programs that nurture children’s psychosocial growth, emotional well-being, mental health, and MORE is made possible by donors like the parishioners at Good Shepherd Parish in New Jersey. Last month, they laced up their shoes and walked with purpose, raising over $10,000 for M.O.R.E.! Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for ALL the love and support we’ve received.

Tender Tuesday # 1

By Kimberly Poulo • December 2, 2025
The word tender carries many meanings, including caring, warmhearted, kind, and compassionate. Starting today, Giving Tuesday, M.O.R.E. launches “Tender Tuesdays” to share snippets of stories surrounding the incredible impact that donor dollars have in providing the most tender care to orphaned and vulnerable children and youth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Thank you so much for your support – an important reminder of all the goodness that exists in this world!  A recent flood this fall brought a lot of damage near and around The Medhen Social Center (MSC). The caring, responsive, and prepared staff members at MSC quickly jumped into action to rescue 15 families, including infants and children. They were able to rapidly provide them with food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities that may have been lost. In moments of crisis, tenderness became action, and compassion became the bridge that carried these families back towards hope.

Newsletter - Spring 2024

By Nancy Holland • June 18, 2024
Board Member Visits to Medhen

Following Through

By Jen Baxter • November 20, 2022
Despite a global health crisis, rising inflation, and civil war, MSC perseveres.

Getting to Know Lynn Devereux

By Jim Miller • March 9, 2022
A conversation with longtime M.O.R.E. supporter, Lynn Devereux

Good Day New York Fox 5 - Everyday Hero

April 3, 2021
Board member, Nancy Holland, is featured on New York Fox 5 as the Everyday Hero for April 2, 2021. Her work with CardsForMORE , and other contributions to the children of Medhen, are featured.
Rakbe's Story

Rakbe's Story

February 14, 2021
The emotional account of the loss of Rakbe's parents amid the aftermath of the disastrous dump collapse at Koshe, and how MSC helped Rakbe to pick up the pieces of her life and move on.
Mebratu's Story

Mebratu's Story

January 14, 2021
The inspiring story of Mebratu's journey to Addis with his mother and grandmother, and the transformative services that they received from the Medhen Social Center upon their arrival.
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