We’ve seen that compassion and love through radical action can overcome even the greatest pains and scars of child slavery. We believe any effort that promotes freedom in the life of an enslaved child has immense value.

To maximize our impact and focus our compassion, we apply the following values to all our work:

Redemption—

We believe not only rescue but redemption is possible in the life of every enslaved child we encounter. This means not only undoing wrongs and injustice, but creating hope and tangible resources for a better future. (Our name, Beza, means redemption or transformation in the Ethiopian language of Amharic.)

Supporting locals—

Our most sincere efforts and intentions will never replace the established work of locals who understand the cultural context and history of this issue. Our work and partnership with them does not offer a foreign solution, but a helping hand to advocate and promote the Ethiopian people.

Human dignity—

We view and treat every individual we serve according to their inherent worth and hopeful future rather than their painful past.

Empowering freedom—

The transition from slavery to freedom is most successful when victims play an active role in their liberation. We partner with victims of slavery to support them in a journey toward independence and personal stability.

 

Invest in Empowerment

OUR TEAM

Josiah Carter (Board Chair & Co-Founder)

 

Josiah Carter has been apart of Beza Threads since the beginning.  He is currently the Director and perpetual volunteer intern for Beza Threads.  In his day job, Josiah serves as VP of Finance and Analytics for a national senior housing company.  He is passionate about the individuals Beza serves and the opportunities for empowerment that create generational impacts. 

 
 

Megan Carter (Board Member & Co-Founder)

 

Megan is a wife, mother of 3, nurse, kickboxing instructor, and loves Jesus. She enjoys listening to music loudly, drinking coffee, working out, visiting the beach, driving fast, and being with friends and family. 
Megan’s passion for serving people in Ethiopia started during her first visit to the country in 2010. Since then she has been working with Beza Threads to make an impact on eradicating slavery in Ethiopia. 

 
 

Scott Oswald (Board Member)

 

Scott is married with three adult daughters, one son in law, and two grandchildren on the way.  He is a small business owner. When he isn't working, Scott enjoys spending time with family and friends. Scott has been on Beza's board for many years. He was first introduced to Beza when they presented at his church. Scott has had the opportunity to visit Ethiopia in person twice and see the impact Beza has made on so many rescued girls. 

 
 

Allison Abbott (Board Member)

 

Allison is married with two adult children. She is a trial lawyer in the Des Moines metro.  She loves Jesus, her cats, the ISU cyclones, Star Wars and reading. Allison was initially on the Beza vision team and joined the board in 2022. Allison loves the mission of Beza: empowering survivors through education!  You might find Allison at one of our pop up events; she loves dusting off her pre-lawyer retail skills! 

 

Dennis Bull (Board Member)

Autumn Rupkey (Honorary Board Member)

Breanna Owen (Staff)

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