Projects
Get to know what we are currently working on and the impact they have on the community.
Life Sponsorship Program
Our life sponsorship program breaks the cycle of poverty as well as develop life long relationships.
Life Sponsorship
With open arms we extend an invitation to you to come and hand pick your sponsor child OR meet the child you have been investing in. We love making new connections and enjoying hosting our coffee ceremony for guests.
We have Social Workers who will provide counsel and translation as you build a relationship with you child. Clothes shopping, a meal out, or a fun day at the local Waterpark are ways to work around the language barrier.
Life Sponsorship not only provides children with their basic needs and education but also provides family members with skill training and the ability to enter our income generating program. Parents or guardians receive business and guidance to start their own business.
Come and meet your Life Sponsorship child and make a connection that will last a lifetime.
Success Stories of Sponsorship
The influence of a business or organization can be evaluated over time by observing the fruit.
Eyob a young man left BCDO in 2018, because of age and lack of need. The program accomplished its purpose.
He found his passion in high end cooking and baking. He worked his way up the resort’s in Bishoftu, each time gaining experience and a boost in wages.
Today, he chefs in 2 resort’s then relaxes in the evenings by baking fancy cakes for sale.
Recently Eyob married his special girl but continues his baking craft. Although he has left BCDO, he has not left the family. Our staff still contact him, especially when birthday cakes, special events of if Eyob needs quality control and taste testers!
Education - 2 schools, DZ campus and Bethlehem
Ethiopia never had early childhood education such as we have had. We remember watching Sesame Street, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie repeating the alphabet or Mr. Dressup, who could imagine you anywhere. You may remember seeing world maps in National Geographic and reading the captions.
This is not possible in much of the developing world. National Geographic cannot beeconomically printed in the half dozen major languages of Ethiopia, all of which are unknown on the world scene, all of which have no disposable income.
This lack of early childhood experiences, or world view, is a stumbling block to the growth of all the Ethiopians, development of society and government.
BCDO saw this need at our earliest thoughts. In January of 2009, the land was purchased, thefirst cement and brick were placed at our first school. A school of excellence was started, kg thrugrade 4. Grade 8 was enrolled 2 years later.
In 2015, BCDO jumped forward by purchasing land and an established school from another mission school, for the price of one dollar. This established work was in the middle of Bishoftu.The gains in young students suffered when they moved to the public grade 10 system, so BCDO immediately went to grade 12, with a total of 2000 students, giving better results and opportunity upon graduation and moving into university.
The purchase gave us the opportunity to control our own land and facilities. We built more classrooms; we drilled our own water well and consolidated our offices. Our use of digital technology has also grown. The quality of education and staff has increased.
Education quality is never finished growing and changing. Digital technology is an important part of providing growth. Teacher development is a constant need. These are needs common throughout the developed and growing nations.
Approximately 25% of the enrolments are of sponsored students. This gives security to our disadvantaged students and families throughout their school journey.
The operating budget is covered by student fees. Most, but not all capital expenditures must come from donated sources.
Our planned needs are projectors and tablets in each classroom, a science lab and resource material for the library.
Million Meals from Ethiopian Perspective
Calories, Protein, and clean Water are such a Gift in Todays Ethiopia. All of these come from the generous Donors and BCDO.
Once a year, since 2016, BCDO receives a large food container with a total of over a million meals. The food is dehydrated by the Gleaners Ministry in Canada to preserve for more than 3 years.
Compassionate Warehouse Resources takes care of the 3-month shipping from Vancouver port to the port of Djibouti, where BCDO takes over with the importing process.
Upon the truck and container arriving at our school, the staff and students form a chain to move the boxes into a storage room.
The boxes of food will be given to pastors, needy BCDO families, our university students, needy community families and our school feeding program. Sometimes spices, pasta and /or rice will be added to the mix to taste.
This is a never-ending project since the need is so great. Thank You to All.
Income Generating
Since at least 1980, Ethiopia has endured skirmishes, droughts, a socialist Russian meltdown in 1989, internal historical prejudices based on centuries old fights. Rotten fruit was product of these years. Since 2005, the country has had control of its constitution, banking, military, and governance. An internal localized war in 2020 was an exception.
These circumstances all bred an atmosphere of hopelessness and lack of confidence in the business environment. One or two generations lost the work ethic, managing risk and exchange of ideas that is core to successful and creative businesses.
BCDO has seen this opportunity for years. The searching for the right people to invest in, the right product for the right people at the right time (thank you Covid) has been a challenge.
After a few failures (yes, even mission organizations have failures) BCDO has learned these lessons.
Work with their passion or experience, what they know.
Start small, do not overwhelm them with dreams.
Women are usually more successful entrepreneurs.
Must be monitored to make sure taxes and fees are accounted for.
Start the business in house. Can BCDO use this product or business internally, to monitor and advise?
Eyob, a young man, always wanted to bake. After graduation, he was helped through culinary school, and now works as a pastry chef in the local resorts. He also bakes out of his home-basedbusiness. He is supporting his mother and younger sister through university. Yes, it is a pleasure to taste his product.
About 20 women were schooled by BCDO, on the managing of a business, marketing, inventory, pricing your product and maintenance of equipment. Today all 20, are cooking the local bread necessary for their food. This is probably our most replicable business project. Our 2 schools use this bread for the school lunch program. These women are contributing to their families.
A block making machine is in the planning stages. BCDO will need an endless number of blocks for our own needs and to sell the excess. Expected investment of $20 000 is needed.
Medical Centre
With 200,000 people living in Bishoftu and the surrounding areas, the medical system is overextended. The poor cannot afford to pay for medical visits, so minor injuries become a major health problem! The clinic will not only be serving the poor and needy in the Bishoftu community but will also contribute to the surrounding area. The gospel will be shared during visits because the clinic belongs to Blessing the Children Development Organization.
This project is currently waiting for the funds to finish the inside of the medical centre. The medical centre will house a pharmacy, optometrist, dentist, medical education facility, offices for doctor’s visits and a minor surgical unit.
The $150,000 budget will cover the cost of the building, finishing, fixtures and fittings. This includes needed medical equipment, hospital beds, linens and the basic needs of every clinic.
We are excited to meet the minor health needs of the poor and needy as they often go without medical attention due to the cost. A medical visit generally costs $10-$20 USD without prescription, which is almost one month’s salary for most of the population.
Numen Ministries
Over the 3 years, the distant churches heard of this move of God, but the churches were sceptical. The churches were located more than 20-30 km away from the new converts. A distance that was not friendly with rough roads and no motorbikes. In their old life, Aman and his growing flock of new disciples had a history of beating the church, of causing the church to suffer at the policies of the government. So the established and distant church was reluctant to embrace their past enemy.
Mission Trips
Details coming soon