A Home Inside the School
Muluken is eight years old and in the third grade at Bonnaya School.
Each morning, he folds his bedding and organizes the small room where he lives with his family before heading to class. As the oldest of three brothers, he takes on these responsibilities first.
Unlike many children in rural Ethiopia, Muluken does not walk to school.
He already lives there.
The school, aware of the family’s situation, provided a small room on campus. That single space serves as their home — a place to sleep, rest, and begin each day. It is narrow and crowded, but it offers something essential: a roof and a place to stay.
A Family Supported, But Not Sustained
Both of Muluken’s parents work at the school — his father as a guard and his mother in the cafeteria. Their income is limited, and his father earns about 1,000 Ethiopian Birr per month, which is not enough to support a family of five.
Because of their situation, the school does not require tuition from the family. This allows Muluken to attend school consistently.
But it does not remove the pressure of daily living.
A Student Who Does Not Miss Class
Muluken attends school every day.
This week, like most weeks, he has not missed a single class. He studies in the morning, eats at school, and continues his homework afterward — either in the classroom or in the small room.
The space is not quiet for long, but once he opens his notebook, he stays with it. The school can only provide basic materials, yet Muluken uses each page carefully and does not waste what he has.
Life Beyond the Classroom
When classes end, his responsibilities continue.
Muluken cleans the room, washes dishes, prepares coffee, and takes care of his younger siblings while his parents are still working. There are many hours when no adult is present, and as the oldest, he takes responsibility for keeping things calm.
He often stays awake until his parents return late at night. When they arrive, he prepares coffee for them. Because of this, mornings can feel heavy — but he still goes to class.
When Health and Nutrition Fall Behind
Recently, Muluken and his brothers developed an eye infection. The condition has worsened over time and is affecting their vision. The treatment is simple — antibiotic eye drops — but the family cannot afford them, and accessing a hospital is difficult.
Food is also limited. The children rely on school meals and leftover food for dinner, and all three are underweight. At an age when consistent nutrition is essential, regular meals are not guaranteed.
What This Story Shows
Muluken is in school.
He has a classroom.
He has not missed a day.
But education alone is not enough.
Without basic health care and proper nutrition, staying in school becomes harder to sustain. Muluken continues to show up — but whether he can keep going depends on the conditions around him.
Your support helps children like Muluken stay in school — by meeting the basic needs that make learning possible.
Together, we can help ensure that no child has to fall behind — not because they lack the ability to learn, but because they lack the conditions to continue.
| Sponsor a Child in Ethiopia
Become a Monthly Sponsor – Provide consistent support for a child’s daily needs, including basic health care, nutrition, and school-related support so they can continue their education without interruption.
Your monthly support helps protect something simple, but essential:
- More days in school.
- More continuity in learning.
- A stronger foundation for the future.
