Help me reunite with my family in Ethiopia

Hello everyone,

My name is Yeshi, but I was given the name Mercy by my adoptive family. I come from a small village in Shewa, Ethiopia, where I was born into extreme poverty. Tragically, I lost both my parents due to the harsh conditions of our circumstances. Subsequently, my grandfather, in an act of love and hope, took me and my baby brother under his care. However, he realized that he couldn't provide the best life for all four of us, which led to the decision to give us up for adoption to an American family.

This adoption, unfortunately, wasn't the best experience for me. I was cut off from all contact with my biological family, and I lost touch with my roots. For years, I wondered if my grandfather was still alive. After nearly a decade, I reconnected with my family in Ethiopia through social media, learning that my grandfather is still alive but ailing. The desire to see him and my other family members has been burning within me, but the high cost of flights to Ethiopia has been a significant barrier.

Today, I am a proud mother to two beautiful and incredible children. I yearn for my grandfather to meet them before it's too late, even if it's just to capture a single cherished photograph. My journey now includes studying sociology to make a difference in the lives of children who have faced challenges similar to my own. I dream of returning to Ethiopia to visit the graves of my parents and grandmother to bid them a proper goodbye, a chance I never had. I'm also eager to express my gratitude to my grandfather for trying to give us the best life he could.

Living thousands of miles away from home fills me with homesickness. I aspire to return to Ethiopia and initiate healthcare initiatives for women in honor of my mother and grandmother. My mother's life could have been different with better healthcare, and I want to be part of the change that provides support to mothers in need.

Your help, no matter how big or small, would bring me closer to these heartfelt goals. Thank you for considering supporting my journey back to my roots and my family in Ethiopia.

Warm regards,

Yeshi Negussie

Flight expenses are a little over $5k and the living expenses a little over $3k. I have a large family so I would not be able to stay in any of my families’ homes due to it being a little overcrowded. My goal is to return summer of 2024