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Helping Orphans in Ethiopia
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to devastate communities, large and small, throughout Africa. Nowhere is the outcome of the pandemic more evident than among Africa’s children, 12 million of whom have lost their parents to the disease.
In Ethiopia alone, it’s estimated that there are more than 250,000 children living with HIV/AIDS and an astonishing 4.6 million children living as orphans as a result of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
HOPE International Development Agency is working to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and care for orphaned children in the poorest neighborhoods of the country’s capital, Addis Ababa.
Lead by Frehiwot Alebachew, a courageous Ethiopian woman and tireless advocate for the poor, our efforts are ensuring that orphaned children are able to stay in their community of birth. This helps the children retain their sense of belonging - a critically important aspect of a child’s emotional recovery after the loss of both parents.
Grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors caring for orphaned children are supported in their efforts, receiving regular supplies of nutritious food, water, children’s clothing and other necessities. This support is critical to the health of the children and the success of the program. In nearly every case, the care-givers themselves are poor and barely able to survive, even before the orphaned children join the household.
CounselingCounseling is provided to help the children recover from the loss of their parents.
In addition, HIV/AIDS education is provided at the household and community level in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and the stigma that often further traumatizes children orphaned by disease.
EducationEducation, provided by the government, is available but neither the children nor their care-givers can afford the books, clothing and supplies that are needed. Support for these items is provided so that orphaned children are able to attend school – a major step in their recovery and future development.
Training in skilled tradesTraining is also provided to older children and their new care givers, ensuring that young adults and the care givers of the children are able to earn a good income and become self-reliant within 2 years.
The results of this comprehensive program are remarkable and a testimony to the vision of Frehiwot and the compassionate support of HOPE International Development Agency donors.
This last year alone, nearly 300 orphaned and vulnerable children received care and support, including school uniforms, clothing, education materials, food, tutors, access to health care services, a library and reading room, and emotional counseling.
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