From Jerusalem: Meet Mentwav

As a Jewish family, Mentwav, husband and 6 children fled the terrible persecution in Ethiopia for a better life in Israel. After giving birth to twin boys 4 years ago, her husband died suddenly leaving her with 8 children and no means of income. Mentwav found work cleaning homes and the Israeli government provides some financial assistance, but short of what is needed. Her oldest son, David (20), shown in the picture below, is in the Army and is granted leave every other week to assist at home.

CFI through their Hope For The Future Program (HFTF), provides Mentwav with support from an anonymous sponsor for monthly income, food vouchers and materials for maintenance services. HFTF also provides after school programs for her chidren as well as 93 other Ethiopian children and assistance with family counseling.

The CFI maintenance director, Vern Lefler and I provide the free maintenance services and have been working in Mentwav's apartment. We repaired exterior window blinds called transims, replaced toilet drain, electrical outlets, light fixtures, switches, sink drains, tub /shower faucet, and installed light bulbs throughout. Yes the family had no light bulbs in their apartment.