Roman’s Girls

In 2006, Marla Hodes and Melanie Robbins founded the Ethiopian Family Fund and dedicated their efforts to improving the lives of destitute children in Ethiopia by providing them an education. Established as a 501C3 non -profit agency,   EFF created and funds Roman’s Girls, one of its most successful programs. Through the generous gifts of compassionate and committed sponsors, EFF provided financial assistance to the program’s first students in 2008. Today, Roman’s Girls continues to identify young girls who are orphans living with a guardian or who have families living in impoverished conditions, unable to afford them an education. The neediest girls are screened and selected to receive the funding that allows them to begin their schooling.

Educating girls

EFF believes that the only way to break the cycle of poverty is to educate the children…especially the girls. Studies have shown that educating females tends to have a greater generational impact on decreasing poverty and increasing educational opportunities than any other investment. Because young girls will someday be the future mothers of a new generation, EFF wants to empower the girls’ abilities to contribute to the work force and be financially independent. EFF is committed to making that investment through education.

Who is Roman Kifle?

Roman Kifle,  EFF coordinator of the Roman’s Girls program, is an Ethiopian educator whose passion is to inspire girls to become leaders in life. Wholly involved in the process of screening and selecting the most financially needy students, Ms. Kifle serves as the liason between the families, the girls, and their school, creating a safe and nurturing connection among them. Ms. Kifle is key in ensuring that the girls are thriving educationally, emotionally, and physically. Roman Kifle received her masters degree in Science in the United States and then returned to Ethiopia to live, raise a family and help those in need.

For more information or to sponsor a child, please contact Marla Hodes or Naomi Carmona at mhodes@mac.com