Meet Our Families

Haile Selasse House

Haile Selasse House is always full of laughter, because mother Zenebech Adane has so much energy, good humor and love to share. We first met Zenebech when we opened Selamta in 2006, and needed staff for the overnight shift. Not only did she do a great job with the kids, but soon started helping out in the kitchen, staying on during the day and pretty much making herself indispensable. It was natural that we considered Zenebech a perfect candidate for mother of a new family home. Happily, she jumped at the chance.

Zenebech has created a home that is full of love, respect and fun. Her own kids adore her, and she’s a favorite auntie to all the Selamta children.

Belay is her oldest and oh, does he love soccer. Zenebech reminds him that he has to keep his grades up in order to play. Belay has been a real role model to his brothers and sisters, helping his mom out with chores and volunteering at the children's center whenever there is something extra that needs to get done.

Ermiyas and Bilal are two great brothers who are rather shy but are always ready to be a part of family happenings. Both are very serious about school and often help each other study. Ermiyas is a quiet comedian, and Bilal is his best audience.

Mulu and Meskerem are always helping mom out and are so good at proudly inviting guests into their home and making popcorn and coffee for a snack. Both girls loved the woodworking project and brought home handmade picture frames for Zenebech. Very capable young ladies indeed!

Meheret is still number one in her class and dreams of being a doctor. Both girls are on the Selamta Girls Soccer Team and love playing. Little Bethlehem is following in her sisters footsteps with top scores in kindergarten last year. She says she wants to be a pilot! Betti is learning that she is safe, and that she can laugh, play and love her new family, thanks to Zenebech's sweet mothering.

Selam rounds out the family with her tiny smiles and big hugs. Selam loves to go to school, be all girly girly, giggle and gossip with her friends but sports are not her thing. No way!

This wonderful family insists that they have room for more...in fact, Zenebech asked if we could rent her a home as big as the children's center and she would be quite happy to fill it up with dozens of children for one big big family. We bet she could do it too!