WHAT WE DO
More than school
A school seat matters, but education is difficult to sustain when a student is hungry, sick, grieving, unsafe, or without anyone helping them navigate the pressures of daily life. OA’s program is designed to support the whole student so education has a real chance to lead to long-term change.
Education
We help place students in the educational setting that best fits their age, readiness, needs, and goals. Depending on the student, that may include local school, private school, boarding school, technical and vocational education, college, or university.
Food + Basic Needs
Students receive support for food, uniforms, shoes, school supplies, hygiene items, and other essentials that can otherwise become barriers to consistent school attendance.
Medical Care
Health needs can derail education quickly. OA helps students access medical care and medications when needed and coordinates additional support when significant health needs arise.
Counseling + Social work
Our Ethiopian social workers know the students and families personally. They monitor progress, help address challenges, communicate with schools and sponsors, and provide guidance throughout the student’s journey.
Family support
When a crisis in the home threatens a student’s safety or education, OA works to understand the situation and respond thoughtfully. Support is individualized rather than one-size-fits-all.
Life after school
Graduation is not the finish line. Students may need guidance with job readiness, vocational training, university, finances, housing, decision-making, and the transition into independent adulthood. We want education to lead somewhere.
Real Change Takes Time
We are not interested in short-term fixes. Out of the Ashes was built around long-term relationship. We walk with students year after year – through school, challenges, milestones, graduation, vocational training, university, and the transition into adulthood. The goal is not simply to help a child survive today. It is to help equip a young person to build a healthy, independent future and become part of lasting change in their community.
