ABOUT USLove For Ethiopia is a 501 (c)(3) charity. All donations are tax-deductable. We are a grassroots organization run mostly by families who have adopted from Ethiopia, and are volunteering their time and talents.
H.O.P.E.
HELPING CHILDREN PROSPER through EDUCATION The program aims to empower orphans and vulnerable children who are committed to academics but whose life circumstances put them at risk of not pursuing their education. The general objective of the program is to provide holistic support to the children to meet their basic needs so that they can start or continue their education. The integrated approach includes feeding, providing school supplies and school uniforms and well as personal hygiene care materials and medical services. The children attend the H.O.P.E center daily in order to be fed and to check in with our staff. This check in is to make sure that the children are being cared for and their needs are being meet. The center is is staffed by a site coordinator, project officer,social worker, two guards and two cooks. |
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OUR MISSION
Love For Ethiopia’s mission is to holistically empower the children of Ethiopia, who are living in extreme poverty, with education, food security and health care.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
COURTNEY GULLETT In 2008 the Gullett family embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever. Not only were they adopting from Ethiopia but they were beginning a nonprofit that would continue to tie them to this amazing country for future years. Love for Ethiopia is truly what the name says, a deep profound love for the people and culture. Courtney fell in love with the country even before stepping off the plane to meet her son for the first time in 2008. After conducting what seemed like endless hours of research, Courtney saw the connection between quality education and poverty. There is so much evidence to support that education is one of the fundemental keys to breaking the generational cycles of poverty that plauge Ethiopia. Courtney wants to thank God for directing her path to this counrty and the gifts that it has given and continues to give to her. |
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
KEATON SPILLMAN After relocating to Jacksonville, Florida Keaton began searching for service opportunities. Two years into working as a teacher in the Duval County Public school system. Keaton and Courtney first crossed paths when at a teacher training for the upcoming 2015 school year. Upon hearing about Love For Ethiopia, Keaton fell in love with ideals in which they shared to help underprivileged children change their circumstances through a quality education. After teaching for three years, Keaton has decided to become a full time Employee with Love For Ethiopia in order to help the nonprofit reach its full potential. Keaton finds passion in helping the children in Ethiopia. He believes that they are capable and given an education they can end their families cycle of poverty. |
RACHEL AXT
Hello, my name is Rachel Axt. I was born and raised in New Jersey and attended college at The University of New York at Cortland where I played soccer as a goalkeeper and studied early childhood and childhood education, graduating in 2017. As a child, when asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" I always responded with "a teacher or a dog walker." My pre-school self would be happy to know that one of those things came true. I am a teacher who loves to help students discover their own potential, model how to treat others with kindness and respect, and act as someone who supports and lifts my students up. I got involved with Love for Ethiopia because I love being able to help others, especially children who are not blessed with the same opportunities that I have had. In my free time I love to spend time with my dogs, hike, kayak, read, and cook." |
RYAN KING
I am a Project Manager for Mazda North American Operations, where I work with internal stakeholders from design through completion for all new/renovated Mazda dealerships in the Southeast Region. I oversee 50 projects, and I am responsible for coordinating product and labor lead times with general contractors and ensuring that the Mazda brand image is compliant with our standards. I majored in Industrial Systems Engineering and minored in Business, while playing Division 1 soccer at Mercer University where I met my incredible wife Wendy. We have been married for almost 4 years (And she hasn't left me yet, so it's going well:)) I am currently a board member at the Williams Family YMCA in Mandarin, and I truly enjoy serving and giving back to the com |
JENNIFER JACKSON
My name is Jennifer Jackson. I serve as the financial officer for Love For Ethiopia. I began my journey with this organization in 2010 when we were adopting our son from Ethiopia. My daughter and I have traveled on mission trip with LFE several times. We love the people as well as the culture and are looking forward to returning to Ethiopia again in the near future. I truly believe in the mission of Love For Ethiopia and the benefits of sponsoring children. My family currently sponsors 4 children through LFE and have been able to watch them grow and develop from little children to teens. I love that I get to use my gifts and talents to help LFE grow and serve the children of Ethiopia. |
PAULA PIERCE
I Love Love For Ethiopia! My name is Paula Pierce. Traveling and rocks are my passions. I have been to almost all 50 states and many countries internationally. I have always wanted to go to Africa and in 2019 I got my wish. A friend of mine connected me with Courtney Gullett the director of LFE and we traveled with a small mission team that summer. To say that I fell in love with the children we served would be an understatement. The 10 days I spent there were not enough. I cannot wait to get back to them. In 2021 I was asked to be a board member and am thrilled to lend my time and talents to this organization. As a retired teacher, I understand the value of a quality education. Love For Ethiopia makes sure all of the children go to school and are fed daily. I have seen first hand how impoverished the children are that we are serving and know that for most of them an education will be their only way out of it. I am so excited to be serving as a Board Member of Love For Ethiopia! |