Dir Biyabir is a registered non-profit founded in 2006 to mobilize financial and human resources, for the specific purpose of supporting local grass-roots development projects in the poorest areas of Ethiopia. By working together, we believe we can tackle some of the seemingly intractable problems of Ethiopia.

 

OUR MISSION

The mission of Dir Biyabir is to alleviate extreme poverty in Ethiopia by investing in people and developing their ability to help themselves.  We strongly believe that the only sustainable solution to poverty is to enable people to unleash their full potential, their energy and their creativity, towards improving themselves and their communities.

We implement this mission by funding sustainable, grass-roots community projects that:

  1. Protect and rehabilitate the natural environment and biodiversity of communities.
  2. Develop new skills in people that are then leveraged in income generating micro-enterprises that are based on fostering the local environmental and cultural heritage.  We especially focus on supporting women led micro-enterprises.
  3. Expand educational opportunities especially in rural areas by sponsoring girls to go to school, funding the local purchase of books, or funding the expansion of rural classroom facilities.

Given that projects are most effective when managed locally, Dir Biyabir does not directly implement or manage projects.  Instead we identify small, highly effective organizations in Ethiopia, with a proven track record for showing results with a small budget.  We then partner with these organizations and provide them the funding they need to implement projects that are aligned with our mission.

 

HOW DIR BIYABIR SUPPORTS LOCALLY RUN ETHIOPAN GRASS-ROOTS PROJECTS:

— We work with local Ethiopian non-profits to develop project proposals that are relevant and well thought out. 

— We raise funds for the projects through membership fees, donations from individuals/ corporations, as well as grants from private foundations. We send 100% of funds directly to the project with NO overhead cost.

—  We monitor project progress with strict accountability for results that are commensurate with outlined project goals. Large projects are monitored via self-funded project site visits.

— We provide detailed reports on project progress and status, including pictures.

Our name Dir Biyabir is a phrase from a very popular Ethiopian proverb "Dir Biyabir Anbessa Yasir" which translates to: "When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion", it is a description of the inherent strength in numbers.  Dir Biyabir means "when spider webs unite", and this phrase nicely sums up our goal of getting people to work together to tackle some of the seemingly intractable problems of Ethiopia.

Latest News

2023 Annual Report now online
April 11, 2024
Hello. You may read the 2023 Dir Biyabir Annual Report here. (more...)
2022 Annual Report now online
June 08, 2023
Hello. You may read the 2022 Dir Biyabir Annual Report here. (more...)
Dr. Fisseha Haile-Meskel
November 03, 2022
It is with profound sadness that Dir Biyabir announces the passing of Dr. Fisseha Haile-Meskel, the founder of our largest project implementation partner in Ethiopia, (more...)
Fundraising to Rebuild Northern Shewa
October 02, 2022
Dir Biyabir is raising funds to rebuild and rehabilitate some of the ddestruction in Northern Shewa during the TPLF invasion. Details including the GoFundMe page  here. (more...)
Subscribe to our Youtube channel
May 05, 2022
Please subscribe to our Youtube channel to get updates (more...)
Wellega IPDs relief update available
May 05, 2022
An update and a report on the Amhara Refugees from Wellega emergency relief is availabled on our site here (more...)
Afar emergency relief update available
May 05, 2022
An update and the Afar releif is availabled on our site here (more...)
2021 Annual Report now online
February 06, 2022
Hello. You may read the 2021 Dir Biyabir Annual Report here. (more...)
Afar Emergency Fundraiser
November 20, 2021
Dir Biyabir is currently collaborating with Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA) to raise funds for emergency relief for the Afar people (more...)
Ataye Emergency Fundraiser
May 30, 2021
Dir Biyabir completed an emergency fundraiser for victims of terror attacks in Ataye. A total of $47,467 was raised and relief supplies distributed  (more...)
Addis Abeba COVID Emergency Relief
February 27, 2021
Dir Biyabir funded emergency food relief for families living in extreme poverty in the Shiro-Meda area of Addis Abeba. (more...)
2020 Annual Report now online
January 25, 2021
Hello. You may read the 2020 Dir Biyabir Annual Report here. (more...)
Dir Biyabir Impact video
January 29, 2020
This video is the best illustration of who we are as an organization and our impact in Ethiopia. (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2017 Q4 Quarterly Report is now online
January 19, 2018
Our 2017 Q4 Quarterly Report(distributed 12/15/2017) is now available on our website under REPORTS (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2017 Q2 Quarterly Report is now online
April 19, 2017
Our 2017 Q2 Quarterly Report (distributed 04/18) is now available on our website under REPORTS. (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2016 Annual Report Now Online
February 25, 2017
Our 2016 Annual Report, which was distributed to our members in February 2016, is now available on our website under REPORTS. (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2016 Q3 and Q4 Quarterly Reports now online
December 28, 2016
Our 2016 Q3 Quarterly Report (distributed 09/13) and 2016 Q4 Quarterly Report(distributed 12/15)  are now available on our website under REPORTS. (more...)
2nd Annual Run To Send A Girl To School
July 19, 2016
Due to the success of last year’s 5K run/walk fundraising event and by popular demand we are bringing back the 5K run this year with (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2015 Annual Report Now Online
April 20, 2016
Our 2015 Annual Report which was distributed to our members on March 13 is now available on our website under REPORTS (more...)
5K Run in Palo Alto Baylands on October 18
September 15, 2015
On October 18 we are holding our second fundraiser which will be a 5k Run in the Palo Alto Baylands.  The goal is to raise (more...)
First Dir Biyabir Fundraiser on August 8, 2015
June 26, 2015
Please join us for our very first Dir Biyabir Fundraiser to be held on August 8, 2015 at Dana Street Roasting Company, 744 W Dana St, (more...)
Dir Biyabir Wins a New Grant from The Christensen Fund
May 13, 2015
Dir Biyabir was awarded a grant of $80,000 from The Christensen Fund for the implementation of a two year Integrated Environmental Rehabilitation and Economic Empowerment Project in (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2014 Annual Report Now Online
February 27, 2015
Our 2014 Annual Report, which was distributed to our members on February 27 2015, is now available on our website under REPORTS. (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2013 Annual Report Now Online
February 10, 2014
Our 2013 Annual Report, which was distributed to our members on January 30, is now available on our website under REPORTS. (more...)
Dir Biyabir 2012 Annual Report Now Online
March 11, 2013
Our 2012 Annual Report, which was distributed to our members in February 2013, is now available on our website under REPORTS. (more...)
We’re Awarded Grant From Christensen Fund
November 12, 2012
Dir Biyabir was awarded a grant of $86,300 from The Christensen Fund for implementation of Integrated Environmental Project in Northern Shewa, Ethiopia. (more...)