In the autumn of 1987, Sir Alec Reed returned from his first visit to Ethiopia. He saw what many people might expect – widespread hardship, suffering and poverty – but he also saw passion, knowledge, and ambition. Sir Alec knew that it would take something simple to make a huge difference to the lives of many people. Starting in October 1989 with an investment of £1m, he created a platform for years of change. Ethiopiaid has grown without losing sight of its relatively humble beginnings - supporting Ethiopian partners in the fields of maternal health, education, supporting the elderly, creating opportunities for women and girls and helping people with disabilities. Sir Alec’s initial investment has since grown into more than £37m in partner grants over 30 successful years. Our approach is simple and continues to be effective. We know our strengths and our limitations. We do not promise to change the world, or even all of Ethiopia. What we do know – from firsthand experience – is that our partners make the biggest difference in their local communities.