Our Impact
See how the Sew Le Sew Meredaja Idir has made a difference in our community through these real stories of support, cultural preservation, and community building.
Supporting Families During Loss
How our community came together to support the Haile family during their time of grief.
When Ato Haile lost his wife unexpectedly last year, our Idir members immediately mobilized. Within hours, a meal train was organized, funds were collected for funeral expenses, and volunteers arranged transportation for family members arriving from Ethiopia.
"I don't know how I would have managed without the support of our Idir," says Ato Haile. "They helped with everything from the traditional funeral ceremony to helping my children cope with the loss of their mother."
The Idir provided not just financial support of $5,000 for funeral expenses but also emotional support through regular visits and communal grieving practices that honored Ethiopian traditions while providing comfort to the family.
$5,000
Financial Support
45
Meals Provided
23
Volunteers
Ethiopian New Year Cultural Celebration
Our largest cultural event bringing together over 200 community members to celebrate Enkutatash.
Last September, our Idir hosted the largest Ethiopian New Year celebration in the city, with over 200 attendees from across three states. The event featured traditional coffee ceremonies, authentic Ethiopian cuisine, and performances of cultural dances by both adults and children.
"Seeing my daughter perform the Eskista dance that I learned as a child in Ethiopia was an incredibly emotional moment," says Selamawit, a mother of three who has been in the US for fifteen years. "This is how we keep our culture alive for the next generation."
200+
Attendees
45
Youth Participants
5
Cultural Workshops
Emergency Medical Fund Support
How community contributions helped save a young member's life through critical medical treatment.
When 8-year-old Kidus was diagnosed with a rare medical condition requiring specialized treatment not covered by insurance, his parents were devastated. The estimated costs of $30,000 seemed impossible for the family to manage.
Our Idir organized an emergency fundraising campaign that raised over $35,000 in just three weeks. The additional funds beyond the medical expenses helped the family with accommodation near the hospital during the extended treatment period.
Today, Kidus is healthy and thriving. His father serves on the Idir's emergency fund committee, helping other families facing similar crises.
$35,000
Funds Raised
178
Donors
21
Days to Goal
Image coming soon
Our Collective Impact
$0+
Financial support provided
0+
Families supported
0+
Cultural events hosted
0+
Community volunteers
Share Your Impact Story
Has Sew Le Sew Meredaja Idir made a difference in your life? We'd love to hear and share your story with our community.
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