Ethiopia 2026

In February 2026, Garth and Andrea Slysz traveled with Scott and Barb Campbell to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for FAMECanada's fifth annual trip. This year we focused on two initiatives: continuing our partnership with the Agape Coffee Cooperative serving leprosy survivors at ALERT Hospital, and launching a new medication partnership with Hope for Korah to bring essential medicines to one of Addis Ababa's most vulnerable communities.

Agape Coffee Cooperative

Now in its fifth year, our partnership with the Agape Coffee Cooperative continues to grow. The cooperative, run by 66 leprosy survivors at ALERT Hospital, assist by our dedicated roaster staff, successfully roasted and sold two shipments of coffee last year. This trip, we held the Agape Board Meeting, reviewed financials with ALERT Hospital leadership, and brought in local coffee experts to develop a marketing plan for reaching new local markets, grocery stores, institutions, and potential export. God had been blessing this project with many new opportunities.

Hope for Korah Medication Partnership

This year we launched a new initiative to bring prescription medications to the Korah community, home to approximately 100,000 people living near the Koshe landfill. Working with Eve, Director of Hope for Korah, and Dr. Shimeles at ALERT Hospital, we established a plan to ship medications to be distributed through ALERT's pharmacy. Dr. Jerry from Hope for Korah visits the community clinic two days per week, and Dr. Selam is leading a team of four physicians to assess the community's health needs, ensuring the right medications reach the right people. This initiative will provide many people the benefit of needed medication.