When spiders unite, they can tie up a lion ~ Ethiopian proverb Project Ethiopia is a volunteer organization that, with active village engagement, helps rural Ethiopian villagers access primary education, clean water, sanitation facilities, sustainable farming support and healthy housing. We work in a remote, rural area of northwest Ethiopia where other aid money often does not reach. Project Ethiopia does not operate as a traditional non-governmental organization (NGO), but rather utilizes a model in which we work side-by-side with the community, developing camaraderie and earning the trust of our village partners. Our projects empower villagers to work cooperatively to improve the community as a whole; addressing big challenges through the energy and commitment of many hands and hearts. Following the guidance and wisdom of our team in Ethiopia and their deep knowledge of the local community, Project Ethiopia has developed and refined a model for working at the grassroots level in small, yet powerful ways. Our projects utilize improvements that are both culturally appropriate and can be maintained by the communities with whom we partner. What is at the heart of Project Ethiopia’s effectiveness and impact? Every single project reflects 5 Powerful Practices that serve as the foundation of our program model. • Listen and Learn • Engage Community • Hire and Buy Locally • Spread Hope • Share Knowledge To date, Project Ethiopia has worked collaboratively with local communities in more than 44 villages reaching an estimated 3,500 rural families. Our work has also resulted in 21 new school buildings and 24 dirt-floored school buildings improved with concrete floors and desks, impacting more than 20,000 students in grades 1 -8.