About Felege Hiywot
Our Story:
Where We Are From & Where We Are Going
Our story begins in the heart of Ethiopia. It was here our director developed her sense of community and her love of service. She brings both of those passions to the programs at the Felege Hiywot Center. Programs like our Youth Farm Initiative provide Indianapolis youth with the opportunity to become active members of their community through service, develop as a helpful team player, and become a responsible family member. It is our hope that each of you will also gain a sense of self-sufficiency through the growth and sale of crops.
About The Felege Hiywot Center
MISSION
To serve urban youth of Indianapolis. We teach urban farming and environmental preservation. We encourage youth to embrace the virtues of community service. We perform this mission as an expression of our Christian faith.
VISION
We follow Jesus' guidance in Matthew 25:40: ``Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my Brethren; you did it to me.`` As we teach youth and reach out to the community, we practice our faith and demonstrate Christ's love among those we serve.
PLAN
Through carefully and thoughtfully designed programs, we give Indianapolis youth the opportunity to be active members of the community. It is our hope that the youth in our programs will develop the skills they need to be self-sufficient.
About The Felege Hiywot Center
MISSION
To serve urban youth of Indianapolis. We teach urban farming and environmental preservation. We encourage youth to embrace the virtues of community service. We perform this mission as an expression of our christian faith.
VISION
We follow Jesus' guidance in Matthew 25:40: ``Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my Brethren; you did it to me.`` As we teach youth and reach out the community, we practice our faith and demonstrate Christ's love among those we serve.
PLAN
Through carefully and thoughtfully designed programs, we giving Indianapolis youth the opportunity to be active members of the community. It is our hope that the youth in our programs will develop the skills they need to be self-sufficient.
Meet Director Aster Bekele
I have been in the United States for 31 years and have enjoyed the freedom and the opportunities as a citizen since 1981. I desire to give back to my Hoosier community as well as to the homeland of my birthplace, Ethiopia. My motivation of starting a mission began in 1975 following my move from Franklin College to IUPUI when I began living at 25th and Martindale. At that time, I realized there were many kids who could use my help and I started tutoring them after school. While working with these children, I realized an impression was being made on them as they learned about the living conditions of children in my homeland, Ethiopia. They started to understand how fortunate they were compared to Ethiopian children, even though compared to Indiana standards they may have considered themselves underprivileged.
It was while working with these neighborhood children that the idea of a mission connecting the poor orphans of Ethiopia to the needy children here in Indianapolis started.
Meet the Board
Our board of directors is instrumental in the operations and success of the Felege Hiywot Center. Through their guidance, our staff is able to develop the programs impacting the youth of our community.