About Us
How the Orphanage Started
The orphanage was developed as a family project.
We want to express our Christian faith by using our different gifts and education through this work.
The Gemechu Family
back row from left to right: Hanna, Aster, Gibrua, Ejigayhu, Selome, Amanuel
front row from left to right; Bultu and Pastor Gemechu
We were born and raised in Ethiopia by our mother Bultu Doti, and father, Gemechu Danu, who have been married for 68 years. Our father has been a Lutheran pastor for 51 years and has worked very closely with Norwegian, Swedish and German missionaries for may years,. He also was a president of the Western Synod of the Mekane Yesus Church in Ethiopia.
Amanuel has worked with missionaries on different development projects in Ethiopia. He also spent two years studying communication in Kenya at Daystar University, and five years studying German and Sociology at the University of Leipzig in Germany. Amanuel married Benita and moved to the United States in 1999.
Selome, received her degree in management in Kenya at Daystar University and is currently working on her Master's Degree. Selome previously helped establish the Christian organization "Life in Abundance" in Ethiopia and has left this organization to start and operate the Sendafa Children's Orphanage.
Ejigayhu is a medical doctor in Germany, studying obstetrics and provides financial support to our family in Ethiopia.
Gibrua received her degree in Ethiopian language at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and her second degree in social work at Daystar University, Kenya. Currently she is working on her Master's Degree.
Aster received her diploma from an agriculture college and is working in the ministry of agriculture.
Hanna worked as a secretary in the Central Ethiopian Synod of the Mekane Yesus Church in Addis Ababa and is retired.
Our Family
Amanuel, Ayyaana, Kalaalee, Benita
Benita was born and raised in Germany and received her Master's degree in teaching violin at the University of Music and Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi" in Leipzig, Germany. She is currently teaching private violin and piano lessons at K & S Conservatory of Music in Woodbury and out of her home in Oakdale. She also volunteered with the string program at Valley Crossing Community School in Woodbury and has led the Children's Choir at the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for six years. This also included organizing the worship for the children's service, teaching bible (ages 3 to 18), teaching the youth guitar, piano and recorder and organizing trips to partner churches for performances and weekend camps staying over night at a partner church in Jordan, Minnesota.
Amanuel works at 3M part time while attending Century College.
We have two wonderful children: Ayyaana (age 6) and Kalaalee (age 3)
Taking Care of Our 11 Orphan Children
There are 11 children who have been residing in the orphanage since September 2008. Prior donations have allowed us to rent and prepare this home. It has running water, shower, and toilet facilities and six double beds.
Selome
Selome Gemechu is responsible for the orphanage in Sendafa. She has left her job as the finance director of the organization "Life in Abundance" in Ethiopia in order to start this project. She is encouraged and financially supported by her family in Ethiopia, the USA and Germany. All the costs are currently covered by our family alone. We are looking for churches and people who have open and giving hearts to help us keep the orphanage going.