Felege Hiywot Center: Home

Welcome

"Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least

of these my brethren you did it to me."
- Matthew 25:40

Mission and Vision

Mission

We, the Felege Hiywot Center, serve urban youth of Indianapolis, second generation Ethiopians in Indianapolis, and orphans in Ethiopia. We teach gardening 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.

2nd Annual Summer Learning Day - July 9, 2009

Follow this link to learn more about this year's 2nd Annual celebration.

Follow this link if you would like to see pictures and read about last year's 1st Annual celebration.

From the Desk of the Founder and Executive 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.