Inspired by one faith filled question, Bricks for Life has transformed hundreds of lives in Ethiopia.
Donate to Bricks for Life now!
Bricks for Life is an innovative project created by Ric Foxley alongside Amlaku Yaregal. Ric and his friends funded Amlaku’s tertiary studies in Plant Science, so that he could return to his village in Baregota, Northern Ethiopia to improve the lives of its nearly 500 inhabitants.
Since then, Bricks for Life has gone on to provide a number of incredible foundational services for the people and it’s community – from grain mills, water tanks, irrigation, feminine hygiene access and even a soap making business.
Tend
Treasure
Transform
Construction of canals
Seed and fertiliser
Bricks for Life was founded by Amlaku Yaregal with his mentor, friend and partner, Ric Foxley.
As the youngest of four, Amlaku lost his mother at birth and was raised by his sister, Ayal. At 12, he ran away to pursue an education, living on the streets and doing odd jobs to earn money for food and schooling. Eventually, Amlaku anded up as a tour guide to the carved rock churches of Lalibela.
It was here that Amlaku met Ric. The night before they met, Amlaku had prayed that God would provide for him a way to move forward. To do his final year, he needed to study full time and couldn’t afford to lose his income. So, in a faith filled question, Amlaku asked Ric:
“Please sir, I want to go to university”.
From there, the seeds for Bricks for Life began. Ric and others funded Amlaku’s tertiary studies in Plant Science, so that Amlaku could return home to his village and teach vital agriculture, irrigation and farming skills. The whole community has committed to his new farming techniques, and the vastly improved crops they are getting now testify to the value of his input. He is also training farmers in neighbouring villages in the same techniques.
Bricks for Life, through Anglican Missions, has continued to expand ever since. We support Amlaku to teach sustainable agriculture in a country rife with civil war, drought and hunger.
Water canals and irrigation has transformed farming and agriculture in Baregota Village. Amlaku has run 3 major water canals reaching almost 3.5km in length which service over 70 farms in his village. However, a lot of water is lost to seepage and evaporation, diluting the overall crop yield.
Your donation will go towards addressing this water loss by implementing concrete or plastic piping solutions to minimise loss. Funds will also go towards shoring up the water canals during flood season and for a hydrologist to assess and provide recommendations for ongoing optimising of the water delivery system.
Baregota Village has greatly benefitted from Amlaku’s agricultural education. However, the road to self-sustainability will be slow. With healthy harvests and extra crops in the next few seasons, villagers can generate extra income to purchase their own improved seed and fertiliser in 2025.
Crucially, other villages in Northern Ethiopia need the same outcomes as Baregota, and the long term vision for Bricks for Life includes implementing some of these incredible changes into other villages and communities.
Your donation will be a brick into the foundation of healthy communities and vibrant, self sustaining communities.
Your donation will go towards revitalising and renewing agriculture and infrastructure throughout villages in Northern Ethiopia.
