Who we are
Save Your Holy Land Association (SYHLA) is a youth-led, women-, youth-, and child-focused national civil society organization committed to advancing the rights, dignity, and resilience of vulnerable communities across Ethiopia. Established in Lalibela in 2001, SYHLA is among Ethiopia’s pioneering organizations to adopt the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus approach, delivering integrated, rights-based programs that strengthen health, WASH, nutrition, education, protection and gender equality, environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and good governance. Guided by a vision of a just, peaceful, and resilient Ethiopia, SYHLA mobilizes young people as catalysts for change, champions gender equality, prevents and responds to violence against women and girls, protects cultural heritage, and drives community-led humanitarian, peace, and development initiatives nationwide.
Our Mandate
SYHLA is mandated to protect and empower women, youth, and children; advance gender equality and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls; and deliver integrated health, WASH, nutrition, education, protection, and livelihood services that strengthen community resilience. The organization is further mandated to lead environmental conservation and climate adaptation efforts, promote peacebuilding, social cohesion, and accountable governance, safeguard cultural heritage, and mobilize youth and volunteers for sustainable development. SYHLA also partners with government, communities, and development actors to drive inclusive, rights-based, and impactful humanitarian, peace, and development outcomes across Ethiopia.
Our Mission
To empower women, youth, and communities through inclusive, rights-based programs that enhance health, protection, education, humanitarian recovery, livelihoods, environment, good governance, peace building, and climate resilience— advancing gender equality and ending all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG)
Our Vision
A just, peaceful, and resilient Ethiopia where women, youth, and children thrive in dignity, equality, and environmental harmony.
Our Values
Empowerment with Purpose, Excellence and Innovation, Equality and Justice, Meaningful Participation, Integrity and Accountability, Resilience and Sustainability
Focus Area(Programs)
Health, Nutrition and WASH
Education and Sponsorship
Emergency and Humanitarian Reponses
Agriculture, Livelihood and Food Security
Eco-tourism, Climate change and Environment
Good Governance and Peace Building
Youth and Women Empowerment
Gender Equality, Protection and Migration Management
Featured Projects
Our Impact in Action
Projects
USAID Family-Focused HIV Prevention & Care
Delivered HIV prevention, testing, and support services to vulnerable youth and families across four regions, reaching over 30,000 individuals between 2020 and 2023.
Projects
Climate-Resilient Youth Spaces Project
Developed safe, green, and inclusive youth hubs promoting leadership, environmental awareness, and community engagement in climate resilience initiatives.
Projects
SELAM Peacebuilding & Dialogue Program
Empowered youth and community stakeholders with conflict resolution skills, fostering peaceful coexistence and civic participation in post-conflict zones.
Projects
Emergency Humanitarian Response for IDPs
Provided food, cash support, shelter, and dignity kits to internally displaced persons affected by conflict and crisis in northern Ethiopia.
Projects
Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement Access Project
Enhanced youth participation in local governance through leadership training, civic education, and media literacy programs in Amhara and Bahir Dar.
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Local Youth Volunteers
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