In Addis Ababa more than 30 percent of girls aged 10-14 are not living with their parents. Twenty percent of these have run away from child marriages. Twelve percent of adolescents aged 10-14 surveyed in Addis Ababa were domestic workers. They typically have no legal or social support.

Team Tesfa Members (L to R) Tsege, Derartu, and Haimenot

In Ethiopia, runners are the role models and sports heroes. Teenage girls all over the countryside flock to Addis Ababa, the capital, in hopes of fame as runners. But these dreams often fall short. At best, the girls find shelter and employment as servants or waitresses. They might find work in bars where they are routinely exposed to sexual activity or violence, or they are recruited directly into sex work. Tragically, many end up living on the streets with no support system at all.

Team Tesfa is a professional track and cross country team, owned by the Tesfa Foundation. Through this team, we provide the girls opportunities to train and compete. Even more importantly, we offer safe home environments, healthcare, HIV/AIDS counseling, mentorship, education, and meaningful work. It is also one of the ways the Tesfa Foundation helps enrich the overall communities we serve.

Team Tesfa is committed to helping as many girls as possible. However, there is no government funding available for this work. None. Zero. The outreach programs Team Tesfa provides are 100% privately funded. And that's where these girls could really use your help.

Please consider a recurring donation to the Tesfa General Fund. Your support will directly benefit the lives of these at-risk teens, and recurring donations provide the vital funds needed for ongoing support programs.