Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiferaw Gobezie.
Hi Shiferaw, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where from an early age I witnessed the deep suffering of elderly men and women who had been left homeless, sick, and completely without support. In Ethiopia, social safety nets such as Medicare, Social Security, assisted living, and nursing homes do not exist for those without means. Many elderly people who spend their lives working and raising families are left alone and forgotten in their final years. Seeing this every day stirred something in me that I could not ignore.
I didn’t know exactly how to begin, but I knew I must do something. My journey started with twelve elderly individuals who had no family and no means of support. With my own limited resources, I provided food, clothing, and necessities. This small act planted the seed for what would become the International Covenant for Elder Care in Ethiopia (ICECE), which is a 501C3 nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring dignity, hope, and care to the elderly who are most at risk.
After graduating from Ottawa University in Kansas City in 2012, I continued to strengthen my professional experience in the U.S., working as an accountant and serving actively in our church. In 2013, my wife and I officially established ICECE, trusting that God—who sees the forgotten—would bless and guide this mission. Throughout this journey, my wife Mrs., Wossen Asayehegn , has been my greatest sources of encouragement and strength. Her dedication, prayers, and support have sustained me during the most challenging times. ICECE would not exist without her. Today, I am proud that our children are preparing to lift this mission even higher. My daughter, Kalkidan, graduated from KU as a Doctor of Pharmacy, and my son, Mikias, graduated from K-state university, stand beside the mission with full commitment. Their achievement ensures that our family’s legacy of service will continue for generation to come.
Today, ICECE is growing into a structured, multi-phase program that provides food, shelter, medical care, vocational support, housing renovation, and emotional and spiritual assistance. Our hope is to expand until no needy elderly person in our program must suffer or die alone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has not been smooth, but the struggles have shaped our mission and strengthened our resolve.
One of the greatest challenges has been the overwhelming scale of need. Ethiopia has a population of nearly 125 million, yet one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world. Many of the elderly have absolutely no support system—no family nearby, no medical care, and no income of any kind. Facing this reality day after day can be emotionally heavy, and it’s difficult to choose whom to help first when everyone is in desperate need.
Another challenge has been funding. ICECE started entirely from my personal income, which was modest. We had no donors, no sponsors, and no formal structure in the beginning. Building an organization from scratch—while working full-time, raising a family, and coordinating efforts across two continents—has required tremendous sacrifice and persistence.
Yet in every challenge, God has provided people and resources at just the right time. Volunteers have joined us, including doctors, social workers, accountants, administrators, and church partners. Still, we continue to seek dedicated board members and individuals who share a passion for restoring dignity to the elderly.
Despite the obstacles, every life transformation reminds us why this mission matters
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My professional background is in accounting, and I currently serve as an Accounts Payable Specialist with Propio Ls LLC in Overland Park, Kansas. I’ve spent years working within structured financial systems, managing internal controls, tracking expenses, and ensuring accuracy and integrity in financial transactions. These skills have been invaluable in building ICECE.
Running a nonprofit requires more than compassion requires transparency, planning, budgeting, and accountability. My accounting experience has helped us design a sustainable sponsorship model like organizations like World Vision and Christian Children’s Fund. Each sponsored elder receives monthly support, tracked carefully to ensure funds directly meet their needs.
Additionally, my time living and working both in Ethiopia and the United States has given me a global perspective. I understand what the elderly in Ethiopia experience, and I also understand how to structure an organization in a way that inspires trust and donor confidence in the U.S.
My professional life and my calling to serve the elderly have become deeply intertwined. Each skill I’ve gained in accounting, administration, and leadership has enabled ICECE to grow and move toward its long-term vision of building the first small nursing home for the elderly poor in Ethiopia in different locations
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes. I want readers to remember that the elderly are the pillars of our families and communities. They raised us, sacrificed us, and guided us—and yet they are often forgotten in their final days. They deserve honor, dignity, and compassion, not abandonment in their final years.
ICECE exists to restore dignity, hope, and compassion to these precious lives. We invite anyone who feels moved by this mission to join us—whether through sponsorship, volunteering, fundraising, or serving on our Board of Directors. Even a small contribution can mean the difference between an elder going to sleep hungry or having food, shelter, and care.
As Matthew 25:40 reminds us, “When you give a cup of water to the least of these, you have done it unto me.” Together, we can honor the elderly and ensure they are not forgotten.
If God leads your heart to support our cause, please visit our website to donate or send your support to the mailing address below. You can also reach us directly through the email and phone number provided. Your contribution one dollar a day per elderly and your partnership with our work will bring hope, dignity, and care to the elderly who need it most in that part of the world, which is in Ethiopia.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iceceinc.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone #: – 913-909-7752
