Hanna Fanta, Founder
Hanna was born and raised in Ethiopia. She graduated from Empress Menen Secondary school in Addis Ababa, then attended Addis Ababa University and earned a Bachelor of Science. Upon graduation, she started working for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as a Program Assistant. Working at UNICEF opened up Hanna’s eyes to the challenging situations that many Ethiopian children endure.
In 1989, Hanna came to the USA and started working for the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), in New York. A few years later her children, then ages 9 and 11, were able to join her in the USA and they moved to Salt Lake City, UT.
In 1999, she had to make an emergency trip to Ethiopia to take care of her father who was ill. While aiding him, she ended up spending time with needy children in the surrounding community. Her experience with UNICEF, combined with her involvement with needy children during this visit to Ethiopia, had a great impact on Hanna’s life. A big love in her heart awakened to make a difference in the lives of children who are struggling to have their basic needs met and their dreams fulfilled. Hanna decided she needed to make a difference - even if it was only in the life of one orphan.
During the first year of Children’s Heaven, she was able to help 5 destitute orphans - this number has now grown to over 100. Hanna has been privileged to witness these girls grow from loneliness and hopelessness with no sense of self-esteem to true sisterhood and community, with strong educational accomplishments, and on their way to becoming thriving members of society.
In 1989, Hanna came to the USA and started working for the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), in New York. A few years later her children, then ages 9 and 11, were able to join her in the USA and they moved to Salt Lake City, UT.
In 1999, she had to make an emergency trip to Ethiopia to take care of her father who was ill. While aiding him, she ended up spending time with needy children in the surrounding community. Her experience with UNICEF, combined with her involvement with needy children during this visit to Ethiopia, had a great impact on Hanna’s life. A big love in her heart awakened to make a difference in the lives of children who are struggling to have their basic needs met and their dreams fulfilled. Hanna decided she needed to make a difference - even if it was only in the life of one orphan.
During the first year of Children’s Heaven, she was able to help 5 destitute orphans - this number has now grown to over 100. Hanna has been privileged to witness these girls grow from loneliness and hopelessness with no sense of self-esteem to true sisterhood and community, with strong educational accomplishments, and on their way to becoming thriving members of society.