Since TLC's beginning in 2006, we have focused on child sponsorship as the foundational source offunding to the ministry and care of TrueLight participants. Now 15 years later, as the vision and needs ofTLC continue to grow, we are adding some additional ways to support our work.

Our desire is to continue to use child sponsorship monies to be used to fund those activities and servicesthat directly benefit each child, such as education, food, and medical care.

The addition of the following levels of giving will insure that we can cover the overhead expenses of ourministry compound as well as care for our staff of seven with a fair and appropriate wage.

Foundational Partners- groups/churches/individuals who can commit to giving at least $2000 perannum that will provide foundational financial stability to our TLC General Fund.

Staff Supporters - individuals who have committed to giving any amount per month to specificallysupplement TLC staff salaries. This allows us to continue to give the vast majority of child sponsorsupport to TLC children and yet also pay our TLC staff salaries to account from annual increases ofEthiopian inflation.

Each gift given to TLC is vital to the work and ministry of the project. We seek to be fully transparentand steward well the funds that have been entrusted to us. If you are interested in finding out moreabout our new support levels or have any questions about your current giving, please contact ourStateside Director, Anna Worley (annaworley@ioiusa.org - 662.212.3090).

In May, five TrueLight students graduated from degree programs and enter the workforce. We continue to be overwhelmed at God's goodness as He bears such good fruit. These students have all beena part of TLC for over a decade. We are incredibly proud of their determination, hard work, andperseverance. 

Yedidiya (pictured above) is graduating with a degree in accounting. He has served as a youth leader andmentor for many of the younger TLC students over the past several years. We are excited to announcethat he will be joining our TLC staff as an accountant and will oversee our IGA program, which providesgrants to TLC guardians as seed money for small businesses.

This is an especially sweet provision as we have watched one of our very own TLC children grow into ayoung man of God who will now be a part of our ministry team!

TLC mother receiving wheat as well as other items to help her family during May's distribution

This month TLC distributed 50kg of wheat flour and other essentials to each TLC family. Since Ethiopia hasexperienced extreme inflation, it cost over $9000 to purchase wheat, oil, detergent, salt, and feminine hygieneproducts for our 240 families. TLC Director, Ayele, reflected, “My soul rejoiced as I saw the joy of the poor TLCguardians when they received the support we gave. Rejoice with me for we are yoked together to bring joyand blessing in the house of the poor.” 

"We are the living proof of TLC’s fruitfulness. Your labor is not in vain. TLC’s support has keep us healthy,nourished our bodies and brought us joy. We are so grateful for the support and all your concern. You bless usabundantly and here we are, feeling rested at the time of stress, and becoming bold at the time of frustrations.Though we are not able to work and became jobless because of CORONA, God is providing through thegracious organization of TrueLight." -Mother of TLC Child, Lidet 

Thank you for your continued support through both prayers and giving. Rejoice with us as we celebrate allGod is doing during this season at TrueLight!

We are so thankful for the generous donations we have received for TLC's COVID relief fund. We have currently raised $17,000, which is being used to help 250 TLC families who were already at risk. This pandemic has caused the cost of food to soar, sources of income to disappear, and left many feeling hopeless. The threat of starvation is real.
 
But God is providing and being glorified.  
 
In a recent update email, Ayele, TLC Director, wrote, “I receive testimonies not only from TLC beneficiaries, but also the community praising God and giving thanks for how TLC is reaching the poor in this dark time. Let God take the full glory! I recently heard one mother say, 'TLC is a pillar for the poor.' I say, God is the pillar for TLC! His true light is shining upon our day to day ministry.”

TLC's day-to-day ministry during this pandemic has included food distribution to each of our children's families. One recipient of this food support is Sherif, the father of 2 children. He works as an evangelist at a local church and receives very little income, which is not enough to meet the needs of his family.  
 
Since his children are not in school due to COVID-19, like many TLC parents, Sherif is unable to provide enough food for them. He said, "Before we received the wheat, rice, and other food from TLC, it was horrifying to hear our children cry and ask for food to eat. My wife and I are now full of joy because we have food we can prepare when our children are hungry. This relief is helping us make it through the hardest times."  

One of the greatest joys we have witnessed in this crisis has been how some TLC mothers are sharing the food they are being given. Zenet, a single mother whose husband passed away, has watched as her small business has dwindled to nothing since the pandemic hit. When Zenet received the food from TLC, she shared it with her friend who was also in desperate need. When asked why she was willing to share when she was in such great need, she replied, "I learned sharing after I became a part of TLC and heard the Gospel taught."  

God is multiplying these gifts and using them for the work of His kingdom.

The cost to continue these additional food distributions through June is approximately $10,000.

If you are interested in giving toward TLC's Emergency Relief Fund, you can visit our website, give directly via VENMO to @truelightchildcare, or email Anna Worley at annaworley@ioiusa.org.

For more up-to-date information about current needs, ministry, and work of TLC, follow us on Instagram or Facebook.