At the end of 2022, our Director received word that TLC had been granted land by the Ethiopian government to build our own compound. We have prayed for over a decade for a place to make our own and it seems that God is opening all the doors at this time. After going through lots of red tape, the latest news from the government is that we can begin construction on April 9. 

We are cautiously optimistic as we begin to move forward. Thankfully, generous donors have already given funds to cover the start up costs, and in country staff are working to order and gather materials. The design will use converted shipping containers which will provide spaces that can be used for multiple uses.

This new compound space will include a playground, large group meeting area, library, staff offices as well as vocational training space. 

Please pray that the remainder of the process with the government goes smoothly and that we are in fact able to begin development soon.  Pray also that we will be able to secure materials at affordable prices as we try to steward our resources well.

In Ethiopia each year hundreds of thousands of 12th grade students take a National Exam, and TLC students are no exception.  The government uses the results of this exam to determine whether students can go on to University, to which Universities they will attend, as well as which field they will study.  Students have no say in where they go to school, or what they study.  Students who score the highest on the exam will attend Universities, and others will attend colleges and vocational schools.

This year, the national pass rate for University was only 3%.  Thirteen TrueLight students took the National Exam, and of those 13, 5 scored well enough to move on to University. That is a pass rate of 38%!  We know that these scores are the fruit of years of study and hard work by the students, as well as countless hours of support and tutoring provided by TLC staff.  We praise God for the ways that He is using TLC to change the trajectory of our student's lives.

Those students will not be attending University, will go on to  study at a local college or vocational school.  This will allow them to transition to the workplace with necessary skills to become self supporting citizens.  In the fall of 2023 there will be a total of 22 TLC students who are attending University or college. 

The expenses for these students is markedly more than TLC children who are still in grade school, although the cost is minimal compared to US college expenses.  $1500 will cover the school fees, supplies, transportation cost, and monthly food stipends for a student's entire 4 years of study.

This is Soya.  She has been a part of TLC for over 12 years now.  After one of TLC's youth retreats she became a believer in Jesus. She has been hungry to know more about Jesus since then.  She volunteers at her church to help with the children's ministry and has formed a Christian fellowship with other students from her high school. She recently was accepted to University and will soon go on to college.

She worked incredibly hard at school,  because her mother is not educated and could not help her with her school work. She received tutoring from TLC and along with other support to help her succeed in her education.  

Just before she found out she was accepted to university, she had asked one of our Bible study teachers for a study Bible. She said she was still struggling to learn how to study the Bible well and gain more understanding of Scriptures. A study Bible cost $15, which is just over two weeks' salary from her mom. There is no way she could have purchased a Bible on her own.

We are so encouraged to see Soya and others like her have an eagerness to grow and learn from the Scriptures.  If you are interested in purchasing some Bibles for some of our older students who are interested in more in depth study click the link below.

Over $21,000 was given through our annual Christmas GivingCampaign. This year, not only did every child receive money topurchase new shoes and clothing but TLC staff partnered witha local bank to open savings accounts for each family. 

Seed money was placed in these accounts, and the guardianswere so excited to have a means to begin saving. TheEthiopian government has commended TLC for our efforts tonot only offer relief for acute needs but to work towardsbreaking the cycle of poverty through financial education andempowerment.