Childrens problems.

At this moment in time and without having up-to-date information about exactly how many new, young children have started in Abugida school we find that many of them are living in situations of high risk. These children are parentless or almost parentless. we are concerned  that they could end up in a children's home or on the street.

Therefore, with the cooperation of the Edir we have drawn up a plan of action for the most desperate cases:

Hana is five years old. She lives with a neighbor who is a very fragile, old woman. Hana's mother left her with this old lady who receives a monthly pension of 10 birrs (70 cents of a euro).

Derbi G.is six years old. He lives with his adoptive mother who adores him. Despite having her own four children, a precarious financial situation and having to put up with the constant opposition of her husband, she has welcomed this little boy into her home.

Eyob is 9 years old. Eyob attended our primary school last year until he was expelled by the Kebele. His parents are dead. He lives with his grandfather who has no job or income. Eyob eats in the Abugida school.

Yitayesu is 7 years old. She has HIV. Her mother is dead and her father suffers from AIDS and is terminally ill. Yitayesu lives with her aunt who has four children of her own and no job or income.

Yetinayet is 9 years old. Just like Eyob she is not permitted to attend school but eats there. Yetinayet has HIV. Her parents are dead and she lives with her grandmother who has no job or income.

Bezawit is 8 years old. His father is dead and his mother is terminally ill with AIDS. He has a little brother and Bezawit is the head of the family.

We have decided to give 400 birrs/ month to each one of these families.

We are trying to introduce a project where local families will "adopt", acting as a substitute family for children who have nobody to care for them and these families will be given economic help from us to support the "adoption".

This concept is unknown in their society. The Edir has sterted to select suitable families who must be made to understand that these children are not "guests" but should be treated the same as all other family members and that their wellbeing will be monitored regularly and meticulously.
 Obviously, being with a family member is often the ideal solution but this is not always possible.

We are also aware that the number of children in high risk situations is increasing which means that more and more families will need economic help.