Addis Ababa, March 19, 2025 (FMC) – A charity 5km street race, themed “I Feed the Elderly, Take Care of My Health,” is set to take place in Addis Ababa on April 6, 2025.
Organized by Mary Joy Ethiopia and Bright Events, the race aims to raise funds for Mary Joy Ethiopia’s humanitarian and development initiatives.
During a joint press briefing, the organizers announced that the event is expected to draw between 12,000 to 15,000 participants.
The fundraiser will support Mary Joy Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to assist vulnerable children and the elderly through food aid, healthcare, education, and vocational training.
Mary Joy Ethiopia, a local humanitarian and development organization, was founded 31 years ago and is legally registered under the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Authority.
Over the years, it is providing support to over 1.5 million people directly or indirectly in many parts of the country and continues to expand its impact.
Speaking on the occasion, Mary Joy Ethiopia’s founder and manager, Sister Zebider Zewde, emphasized that the race is part of the organization’s broader fundraising means.
She highlighted the organization’s efforts to build hospitals in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Hossa’na, and Arba Minch, which will provide essential social services, including free medical care, food, and elderly support programs. Additionally, the hospitals will run income-generating projects to help reintegrate children at risk of street life.
Sr. Zebider also revealed that Mary Joy Ethiopia has acquired 18 kidney dialysis machines through donations from the Seattle Nurses Association and philanthropists. These machines will be installed in dialysis centers at the organization’s upcoming hospitals in Addis Ababa’s Asko area and Hawassa, enhancing healthcare access for those in need.
However, she acknowledged that many of Mary Joy Ethiopia’s activities have been affected by the withdrawal of financial support from USAID. To sustain the organization’s mission, she called on stakeholders and the public to contribute through financial donations, material support, and collaborative efforts.
Renowned Ethiopian athletes Elfnesh Alemu and Fikru Bekele, who serve as lifetime ambassadors for Mary Joy Ethiopia, also called on the public to take part in the race and contribute to the cause.
The event will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2025.