According to a UNICEF State of the World’s Children report, over 65% of Ethiopia’s population lives below the absolute poverty line.

Poverty impacts health, education opportunities, family dynamics, housing, and most areas of life. LIA is working with partner churches to offer individuals and families a way out of the cycle of poverty.

LIA supports income generating activities and skills training for special target groups like youth, street children, those living with AIDS, and single mothers.

To date over 1,000 people have participated in training for livelihood skills, craft making, computer skills, carpentry, metal work, sewing and embroidery. Many of these individuals received seed money to help them begin small businesses. In some cases family homes and basic resources that were mortgaged to loan sharks have been redeemed by refinancing the loans at lower interest rates.