Adwa is located in northern Ethiopia, directly on the border with Eritrea, a region where many conflicts persist. Many of the soldiers camped at the Adwa military base have families there, which they leave behind when they are displaced. As a result, 74% of all households in Adwa are headed by single women.
Here, women’s rights are not respected and they suffer from paternalism and violence. Despite hard work, these homes barely reach the minimum to survive and are forced to neglect their children. Many of these children have to contribute to the household income through odd jobs, thus missing classes or even dropping out of school altogether. This means that they have little chance of escaping poverty as adults.
The SOS Children’s Villages project consists of supporting these families to enable them to raise their children properly and give them the necessary training to escape poverty. In 2020, it will concern nearly 1500 children (430 single mothers and 70 single fathers).
This project is based on 4 pillars, for a 360° approach.
Protection and care of children: giving the single parent the necessary know-how to meet the needs of children (rights, education, health, fight against abuse and underage marriages, etc.).
Improvement of income: vocational training (agriculture, entrepreneurship, trades such as hairdressing, sewing, carpentry, etc.), supply of equipment needed to improve conditions (agricultural, construction, schooling, etc.).
Education, schooling, to prepare young people for an independent life and give them job-related skills
Health: to enable children to grow and develop normally.
At the end of the first phase of the project (2015-2018), 302 families have successfully completed the programme and no longer need support, thus also enabling their children to prepare and envisage a better future.
Tigiste is 13 years old and in seventh grade. When the school had to close because of Covid-19, she felt discouraged and abandoned because her family couldn’t afford to buy a radio for distance learning.
I had always been a good student who worked hard. I thought all my efforts were in vain. Finally, the SOS Children’s Village team came to bring me a solar-powered radio. I was incredibly excited and felt as if my future had been given back to me! As we don’t have a table at home, I sit on a bench to study, with the radio next to me. During the school program, I’m constantly taking notes. I’m always very focused on the subject. It’s just a shame not to be able to ask questions! During class, I don’t have to help with household chores because my mother knows that education is important. After school, I put the solar radio on the roof to charge it. I’m glad we don’t have to buy batteries because we couldn’t afford them. My mother’s income is barely enough for the bare necessities. I want to go to university one day and study medicine. With that, I want to contribute to the betterment of the people around me. When I have enough money, I’ll buy my mother a better house.
Marishet used to live in extreme poverty. She couldn’t afford to look after her children properly. This situation was very hard on her. She decided to move in with her sister in Hosaena. People in the neighborhood noticed her distress and told SOS Children’s Villages Switzerland about her, which included her in its family strengthening program. Marishet took part in parenting workshops and received counseling. Gradually, she regained her self-confidence. She learned to run a small vegetable business. Today, this single mother shines with happiness: her children eat their fill every day, go to school and proudly wear beautiful clothes.
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