Ethiopia

Ethiopia is quite large, covering approximately the same land mass as California and Texas combined. Even with less than half of all eligible children enrolled in school, the classrooms are still overcrowded. Only about 25 percent of adult women are literate. Since the fourth century, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (doctrine is similar to Roman Catholicism) has been extremely influential in the Ethiopian culture. Polygamy was once common among Ethiopian Muslims, however, it has become less widely practiced in recent years.

There are 16 national Young Life staff in Ethiopia and 160 volunteer leaders. On average, 3,700 kids attend club each week.