Our Team

With 20 years of experience in organisational management, Catharina has dedicated her career to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and women in Ethiopia. A qualified nurse and former hospital manager, she moved to Ethiopia in 2000, where the plight of abandoned babies deeply moved her. This led to establishing a children's village at the
local government's request and the eventual founding of Abraham's Oasis
in 2006.

Under her leadership, Abraham's Oasis has grown into a comprehensive
organisation focused on empowering women, children, and communities.
Catharina emphasises fostering independence and equipping individuals with the tools to thrive. She directly manages a team of five and oversees more than 80 employees, ensuring efficient operations and
successful resource mobilisation and fundraising initiatives.

Her work has gained recognition from regional government officials,
reflected in her unique resident visa and frequent certificates of
appreciation. Catharina's passionate commitment to Abraham's Oasis's
mission continues to inspire those around her, making a significant and
lasting difference in the community.

As the Deputy Director at Abraham's Oasis since 2024, Aklilu has been instrumental in leading the finance, administration, and human resources teams. His 16 years of experience as a finance and administration project manager have honed his skills, making him a valuable asset to the organization.  Aklilu's academic background includes an MBA, a BA in Accounting, and a BA in Economics, which serve as the foundation for his professional achievements. He effectively manages a team of 28 employees and oversees HR matters for more than 80 staff members. In this role, he plays a crucial part in ensuring the smooth execution of project activities in collaboration with the Director and Project Managers.

Fissahha Ghebremariam is the project manager of community care services at Abraham's Oasis, bringing 14 years of experience in project support and emergency response. He leads initiatives focused on psycho-social support, overseeing projects that address gender-based violence (GBV) and child abandonment. His collaborative approach has been vital to the success of these projects.

Fissahha conducts training in positive parenting, life skills, and protection from sexual exploitation for staff and beneficiaries in Tigray's northwestern and western zones. He consistently delivers high-quality results, empowering traumatized women, children, and communities.

With a BA in sociology from St. Mary's University and a master's in social work from Mekelle University, Fissahha is dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups. His passion for reading motivational literature enhances his commitment. As a project leader, he navigates complex challenges, even in difficult circumstances.

Carlos Mearg Gebreslassie, Residential Care Project Manager

Carlos Mearg Gebreslassie is an enthusiastic young man with a Master's
in Counseling from Clarks Summit University (USA). He joined our team in June
2018. He is passionate about supporting children and women in our
projects and is a dedicated member of the AO management team.

With 6 years of experience, Carlos has built strong relationships with
project staff and clients, fostering a culture of trust and
collaboration. He is action-oriented and encourages critical thinking
among his team to address the needs of vulnerable groups.

Carlos demonstrates excellent leadership skills, promoting teamwork and
mutual support among his colleagues. His commitment to capacity building
and staff assessments highlights his dedication to the urgent needs of
children. He emphasizes community engagement and professional
development in his projects.

In his role, Carlos manages Residential Care projects, including the
Safe House for Children and Women and Family Tracing and Reunification.
He oversees day-to-day operations, writes project and donor reports,
collaborates with stakeholders, and efficiently trains staff members.

Futsum has six years of diverse experience at Abraham's Oasis as an
Economic Empowerment Project Officer, Team Leader, and Project Manager.
He has overseen economic empowerment initiatives and successfully
managed his team since 2019, achieving notable results.

With a BA in Psychology from Mekelle University and currently pursuing a
BA in Economics, Futsum brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and
practical experience to project implementation. He directly supervises
six employees and fosters productive relationships with colleagues,
partners, and stakeholders.

Futsum is a collaborative leader who manages the project's daily
operations with finesse. He works closely with the economic empowerment
and psychosocial support teams, as well as government stakeholders, to
ensure the timely completion of project objectives through regular
monitoring and team guidance.