Maurice and Susan Clarke
Through our Christian faith, we have always been drawn to doing good work and this had been limited to working within our church and regular giving to charity. That was until 2005, when we felt a calling to work in Ethiopia, where Maurice had previously worked as a civil engineer. Partly inspired by happy memories of the country and the people, and partly through Susan’s experience, and strengthened faith, at bible college, we decided to do something about it.
On 23rd January 2006 we embarked on our first visit to Ethiopia, visiting various projects before it became evident that there was a real need to support young people there. We were challenged by the needs and poverty of many young people, facing extreme hardship, who longed for opportunity to continue at school or on to further education. We visited schools and head teachers and realised that without financial support or sponsorship further education was impossible for young people.
We had seen and heard the need for ourselves and upon returning to the UK opened an account to raise funds to sponsor two young men to help with their education. As we prayed, we received confirmation from Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act”. We formed our charity shortly afterwards and became officially registered in May 2009.
We try to visit Ethiopia as often as we can to see the work and continuing need for ourselves (we pay for these costs ourselves, keeping charitable funds entirely for the young people). We try to address needs as we see them and in consultation with friends and contacts in Ethiopia to ensure that we not only do the most for the most but also that our help is appropriate to the local situation.
The aims of Ethiopian Education Aid are to:
- Advance education and training
- Relieve poverty, sickness and distress
- Sponsor orphans and destitute children
- Share the love of God
Our Registered Charity number is 1129364
Ethiopia Education Aid 