Restoring dignity, safety, and belonging for children, women, and communities in Tigray.
Who We Are
Abraham’s Oasis is a grassroots organisation in the North-Western Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia.
We support vulnerable children, women, and families affected by violence, conflict, poverty, trauma, and harmful practices.
We provide safety, care, Counselling, family tracing, and long-term solutions so that every child and woman we serve can live in dignity and rebuild their lives.
Our Mission
To support vulnerable women, children and communities sustainably by providing holistic interventions for a better life.
Our Vision
A supportive community where vulnerable women and children live in dignity and are self-reliant.
Our Story
Abraham’s Oasis began when founder Sr. Catharina van den Bosch was requested by local authorities to help care for abandoned children in Shire. What started as a small act of compassion has grown into a comprehensive protection and recovery organisation serving thousands across Tigray.
Over the years, Abraham’s Oasis has:
Cared for thousands of abandoned and vulnerable children
Reunified families separated by conflict and hardship
Supported women recovering from severe gender-based violence and harmful practices
Strengthened community networks to protect children and women
Empowered women with sustainable livelihoods
Provided life-saving formula to infants who lost their mothers
Our journey reflects a deep commitment to healing, protection, and sustainable change.
Our Journey in Numbers
3,953 children cared for in Grace Village
446 women rehabilitated through the Safe House
35,992 children supported through community-based care
10,188 tins of formula provided to vulnerable infants
Thousands of families strengthened through reunification and community support
Where We Work
We serve communities across the:
North-Western Zone of Tigray
Western Zone of Tigray
Our main office and residential programs are located in Shire, Indaselassie, from where we coordinate care services, community strengthening, and outreach activities.
Our Approach
We believe that transformation comes from care, connection, and community.
Our work is grounded in three pillars:
HEALING
Calm interactions: counselling, children drawing, supportive presence.
PROTECTION
Safe environments: caregivers watching children, a safe-house environment.
REUNIFICATION
Warm, gentle family moments.
Our Guiding Principles
These principles shape everything we do:
Children belong in families
Holistic care - emotional, physical, social, and educational
Sustainable solutions that strengthen long-term independence
Dignity, safety & protection for every person we serve
Community-led recovery grounded in local leadership
Our Values
Dignity
We uphold the dignity of every person. We treat our employees, beneficiaries, and stakeholders with respect, recognising their worth regardless of background, position, or opinion. Everyone is valued and included.
Integrity
We act ethically, honestly, and transparently. We choose what is right over what is easy or personally beneficial.
Confidentiality
We protect the privacy of our beneficiaries, staff, donors, and partners. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we minimise public promotion and prioritise safeguarding individuals and their stories.
Accountability
We are transparent in our actions, take responsibility for our decisions, and commit to learning and improving so that our beneficiaries and organisation achieve the best possible outcomes.
Excellence
We strive for the highest quality and effectiveness in all our services, ensuring the best outcomes for the children, women, and communities we support.
Sustainability
We promote long-term, sustainable change for our beneficiaries, empowering them to thrive independently. We also diversify our funding sources to ensure organisational stability and prioritise environmental stewardship by planting trees and maintaining a clean, healthy environment within our compound and surrounding areas.
Catharina (Karin) van den Bosch - Director
Founder and Director with 20 years of leadership in Ethiopia, overseeing strategy, resource mobilisation, and protection programs for vulnerable children and women.
Fissahha Ghebremariam - Program Manager, Community Care Services
Oversees psychosocial support, GBV programmes, and child protection initiatives across Tigray, drawing on 14 years of field experience and a Master’s in Social Work.
Our Team
Leadership
Aklilu G/her - Deputy Director
Leads finance, administration, and human resources with over 16 years of management experience and advanced degrees in economics, accounting, and business administration.
Carlos Mearg - Program Manager, Residential Care Services
Leads Grace Village, Safe House for Children, Safe House for Women, and reunification work. Holds a Master’s in Counselling and has 6 years of experience supporting vulnerable groups.
Our Staff
Our leadership team is supported by over 80 skilled Ethiopian professionals, including social workers, counsellors, caregivers, nurses, teachers, and community outreach workers.
We collaborate closely with:
community leaders and elders
women’s groups
school leaders and teachers
local and regional government offices
social workers and protection actors
health services and One-Stop Centres
Our Partners
Fitsum Kahsay - Program Manager, Economic Empowerment
Manages livelihood and business support programs, bringing academic training in psychology and economics and 6 years of professional experience.
Our work is supported by partners such as:
Abraham’s Oasis UK
Bridge to Light (The Netherlands)
Hope Ethiopia (USA)
GlobalGiving donors
Private supporters from the Netherlands, the USA, and the UK
Why We Exist
Because no child should grow up alone.
Because no woman should carry trauma without support.
Because families deserve the chance to heal and rebuild.
Because strong communities create lasting change.
What Makes Us Different
20 years of experience in family-based child protection across Tigray
Proven results in safely reunifying children with their families
Skilled Ethiopian professionals leading all programs and decision-making
Integrated services combining protection, Counselling, education, and livelihoods
Sustainable recovery model that strengthens both families and entire communities
Strong partnerships with local authorities, community leaders, and women’s groups
