🪩 A Word From Eliyas: Our New Country Director 🪩
During our time in Korah, we had the special privilege of spending meaningful time with our new Country Director, Eliyas Teshager. Getting to know his heart, his leadership, and his passion for serving children and families in Korah was a true encouragement. We are grateful to introduce him and share a glimpse into the values and vision he brings to Out of the Ashes.
Eliyas Teshager is a devoted husband and father whose family serves as a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness. Their love and encouragement inspire his commitment to walk in humility, obedience, and service. His personal journey has shaped his values and leadership, strengthening his passion to serve others—especially children in need—with compassion, integrity, and purpose. He has more than ten years of professional experience in leadership across international NGOs, private organizations and large-scale organizations.
He currently serves as the Country Director of Out of the Ashes (OA) in Ethiopia. He chose to work with Out of the Ashes because the organization’s mission strongly aligns with his personal purpose in life. He has a deep desire to serve children, especially those who are vulnerable and forgotten by society. Out of the Ashes is not just an organization it is a calling. The mission to rescue children from life on the streets and trash dumps, restore their dignity, and provide them with education, care, and hope deeply resonates with his heart. He believes God has positioned him in this role to use his leadership experience, professional skills and faith to help bring lasting transformation to children’s lives.
When he loves most about working with Out of the Ashes is that we see real, visible impact. The transformation in the lives of the children in Korah is clear and undeniable from hopelessness to hope, from the streets to education, from survival to purpose.
OA is led by dedicated leaders who truly take ownership of the mission. Eliyas says, it is rare to find an organization so deeply committed to aligning its values, faith, and actions. Out of the Ashes truly lives out its mission of lifting children “from the ashes” of the trash dump and giving them a future through education, love, and holistic care.
Three years ago, Eliyas accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior following a powerful miracle that transformed his life. Since then, his faith has deeply shaped his heart, leadership, and sense of purpose, inspiring him to live with gratitude and a sincere desire to serve others with love and humility. His shared with us that his favorite verse is Philippians 4:13, because it “continually reminds me that my strength does not come from myself alone, but from Christ. It encourages me to face challenges with faith, confidence, and perseverance, knowing that through Him, all things are possible.”
God has graciously equipped Eliyas with over ten years of leadership experience across international NGOs, private, and large-scale organizations. Through these roles, He prepared him with the skills, discipline, and wisdom that Eliyas now brings to his work at Out of the Ashes. We are overjoyed to have Eliyas as our new Country Director!
