Chesed was founded in 2024 by Bill and Brendy Pickler to help raise money and awareness of the orphan crisis in Ethiopia. Chesed is currently the sole supporter of Abenezer Orphanage, an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Elizabeth runs the orphanage and has done so for over 18 years since she was around the age of 30. In 2012, our family adopted a baby from Abenezer Orphanage, and we were privileged to meet Elizabeth at this time. She is the only reason we believe our “Abi” is alive and absolutely thriving at 14 years old!

Elizabeth has given her entire life to the mission of loving orphans and saving children from the streets, abandonment, starvation, and death. In 2018, the Ethiopian government abruptly decided to shut down all international adoptions, leaving Elizabeth with many children to care for but no funding. She sold everything to keep these children fed and alive. Bill and I began fully supporting her in 2021 after we learned of the dire situation.

We decided to form Chesed Missions to enable others to join us in this mission to provide Elizabeth and the children with the love and hope they deserve. Since then, Elizabeth has been able to rescue SIX more babies that were abandoned and provide them with love and nourishment, and ultimately save their lives. She currently has 12 children at Abenezer Orphanage, ranging in age from 10 months to 17 years. All the children are absolutely thriving. The pictures below are of Elizabeth with our Abi in 2012, right before we brought her home, and a current picture of Abi with Bill (her bonus dad) and me.

The love you see in these pictures on this website was all made possible because of a young woman who, many years ago, gave up her life to follow the passion in her heart. Will you please consider coming alongside Chesed so we can ensure that no child is ever turned away from Abenezer Orphanage and that they all grow up knowing they are loved, cherished, and matter? WE SEE ALL PEOPLE.

Love,