In 2003, YAGForLife hosted our inaugural annual fundraiser in response to a food emergency taking place in Ethiopia. YAGForLife used the funds raised that year to purchase enough food to feed 14,000 for one month. Despite this success, we shifted focus in 2004 to projects that make a more lasting impact. Funds raised in 2004 helped rural communities in Ethiopia dig and implement 8 clean water projects, which will serve over 7,000 people for years to come. Our ambition is to continue funding water projects in these and other rural communities to offer a better life for their members.

In 2005, we raised $25,087 and were matched by a $35,500 contribution from Glimmer of Hope. Those combined funds were allocated to the construction of 10 hand-dug wells and protective structures for 12 natural springs that provide clean drinking water to over 9,700 people in three separate rural districts, Hawzien, Anfilo and Hawa Welel.

In 2006, we are continuing our focus on water projects as we view access to clean drinking water as an essential building block of long term development. Glimmer of Hope has committed to continue assuring that 100% of every dollar we raise provides Ethiopia’s rural poor safer, easier access to this basic element of life. 

Just as importantly to us our water projects are a component of Glimmer of Hope's broader mission to use integrated development to holistically improve the well being of subject communities. Integrated development involves executing a broad range of projects in a single geographical area addressing needs related to drinking water, schools, clinics, basic agriculture and irrigation.

See Projects section of our website for more details.