In the early 70s, Ethiopia was in epochal transition. One outcome of this circumstance was the marginalization of the most vulnerable with homelessness, beggary and streetism being rampant. Amidst this wretchedness, the late Rev. Jack E. Smith, a missionary then in Addis Ababa from the Presbyterian Church USA, and his wife, Evangel, could not just be indifferent. They asked themselves and prayed to God, “We cannot just go on doing nothing about these helpless people. We cannot solve the problems of all certainly, but we can do something for some…”

Confronting themselves in this way, the Smiths brought to their home three street children and started to care for them like they did their own children. Then, friends of the three children found out where they were and knocked at the door of the Smiths. When the Reverend responded, they said, “What about us? Are not we homeless? Don’t we need care like our friends too?” The Lord gave the Smiths a vision to start a home for street children in Addis Ababa, and the Smiths obeyed. Their act of faith has led to the work of HOPE Enterprises over the past 35 years, touching hundreds of thousands of lives, and helping many move from the mire of poverty to self-sufficiency in society.