ማሕበር ደበስ ኤርትራውያን-ኣመሪካውያን ኣብ ጆርጅያ

Standing together in life, and in loss.

We are a member-supported association that stands beside Eritrean-American families in their most difficult moments — providing financial relief when a loved one passes.

Become a Member

Make a Donation

Family Beneficiary Benefit

Based in Georgia, USA

650+

Members Strong

$150

One-Time Registration

2

Beneficiaries Per Member

24/7

Support When It Matters

Who We Are

The meaning of Debes

ደበስ — ናይ ሓባር ምድግጋፍ

In Eritrean tradition, “Debes” is a circle of mutual support — neighbors and families who pledge to carry one another’s burdens. The Eritrean-American Debes Association of Georgia continues that promise here in the United States.

Our sole objective is to assist the family of each member at the time of death, providing monetary support to the designated beneficiary to help cover funeral and related costs— so no family grieves alone or under financial strain.

We are organized as a non-profit benevolent association, governed by member-approved bylaws and led by a volunteer board accountable to the community it serves.

Our Mission:

To preserve and strengthen the Eritrean tradition of mutual aid by uniting our members through shared responsibility and providing reliable financial support to families and designated beneficiaries during times of loss.

Through the Debes Death Benefit Program, we stand together to help ensure that every member and family can face funeral, burial, and mourning expenses with dignity, unity, and community support.

Our Vision:

The organization is committed to supporting its members in times of loss by helping and sharing the burden of sorrow and alleviating the financial challenges that arise through the Death Benefit Program, while strengthening unity across generations.

Pre-Register Today

Our Promise to Members

Three commitments at the heart of everything we do.

Dignity in grief. Practical, timely financial assistance to a deceased member’s designated beneficiary.

Strength in numbers. A trusted, member-funded safety net built on shared responsibility.

Heritage & belonging. Keeping Eritrean culture, faith, and community alive in Georgia.

Membership

Becoming a member is simple

Join in person, name your beneficiaries, and stay current with contributions to help provide dignified funeral support.

01 Apply & Register

Complete the Membership Application with your details and a valid State of Georgia ID. Registration is currently done in person.

02 Name Beneficiaries

Designate a primary (and optional secondary) beneficiary who will receive the family benefit on your behalf.

03 Stay Active

Authorize one-time registration fee by ACH, check, or money order and recurring contributions by ACH to keep

your membership in good standing.

Ready to join the Debes family?

Membership opens a community safety net for you and the people you love — and strengthens it for everyone.

$150

one-time registration

Start Your Application

Our Heritage

A people of faith and harmony

Eritrea is home to a centuries-old culture where churches and mosques stand side by side. We carry that spirit of unity and respect into our community in Georgia.

ሓድነትናን ባህልናን

Together we honor the traditions that shaped us and pass them on to the next generation

How It Works

HOW DEBES WORKS

Debes is built on a simple principle: we stand together when one of us experiences a loss.

1

Step One

Join Debes

Eligible members register and pay the required $150 registration fee.

2

Step Two

When a Member Passes Away

The Association verifies the deceased member's eligibility and designated beneficiary.

3

Step Three

Members Contribute $20

Each participating member contributes $20 per eligible member death, according to the bylaws and Death Benefit Program.

4

Step Four

Beneficiary Receives Financial Support

The death benefit is provided to the deceased member's designated beneficiary to help with mourning, funeral, and burial expenses.

Strength in Numbers

The Power of Unity

Every participating member contributes $20 when an eligible member passes away. As membership grows, so does our collective ability to support families.

500 Participating Members

500 × $20

$10,000

750 Participating Members

750 × $20

$15,000

1,000 Participating Members

1,000 × $20

$20,000

Important: The actual death benefit paid to the designated beneficiary may be reduced by authorized administrative expenses, as permitted under the Debes bylaws, benefit program, and applicable policies.

The more we stand together, the stronger the support we can provide to every Debes family in their time of loss. Strength in Unity.