Airi Tuomi’s 40 Years of ministry
            in Ethiopia

Airi Tuomi went to Ethiopia with her parents Helmi Tuomi and Aulis Tuomi (brothers: Valto Tuomi and Pentti Tuomi) in 1960 when she was 10 years old. Her parents were given a message from God to go to Ethiopia and preach the Gospel (Matt.28.) Little Airi had her own dream, a dream to help children who were in need. When Airi reached the age of 16, her parent was able to open a shelter home for needy children by following her dream. The name of the home was Morning Star Home. They did not have any financial source to help establish the Home at that time, except one church in Finland. Airi was also helping the Home by saving her pocket money, Airi had that strong dream of helping children, making a difference in other people’s life and doing a wonderful thing to the society as a hole.

She had given up her life for the sake of others. Morning Star Home was started with 14 children and grow up to 420 children to be well raised and get the best education. It then merged with Bethlehem Orphanage. Right now, most of the 420 children are grown-ups and leading successful life in different parts of the world, Ethiopia, Finland, Sweden, Canada and USA.

I would like to stress the fact that Airi had gone through so many challenging situations to make her dream come true. She lost her beloved father Aulis Tuomi 6 years after she opened up the home, and right after that she lost her brother Palto Tuomi. Her mother, Helmi Tuomi, was an important figure for the home and raised most of the children, until she died in 1992.

Currently, Airi has feeding center for the poor children in small town called Awassa where she resides. She feeds 68 children twice a day, pay their medical bills and school supplies. She also has 13 children living with her full time.

Airi’s project objectives are to feed poor children twice a day, pay school supplies, medical bills and clothes, help elderly with basic necessities, pay for job training for High School Graduate, and provide after school program.

Airi wants to help as many children as possible and in order to accomplish her dream she has to get a considerable number of sponsors Her previous sponsors are becoming very old and most of them are in the nursing home and her source of income is deteriorating as opposed to the high number of demand that exists in the country. Airi would very much appreciate your help.

Faith and Family

First of all, I would like to extend to you my heartfelt gratitude for the consistent and genuine help that you offer Airi Tuomi. My name is Faith Gulilat, one of the 420 children who grew up in the orphanage that Airi Tuomi established

I was only four years old when my parents were separated and I was given to the orphanage. It was such a wonderful chance for me to have the most loving and caring parents, the Airis.

Of all things, the Airi’s showed me was the love of God. They thought me the bible, which helped me a great deal for my entire life. I was given the best education in that I was capable to join the most competitive college, Addis Ababa University and studied Sociology.

Currently, I live in Rockville, Maryland with my Husband Binyam G/Egziabeher, and my three sons, Jonathan 17, Nathaniel 16, and Enamel 10. I wouldn't be able to have a successful life that I have right now if it was nor because of the Airis.

I’m so blessed that I have Airi who is my mother and my big sister. Her loving and kind heart is always the same, and I have a very special respect for her.

Thank you and God bless you!