Projects

On her first contact with street children in 2001, Nigisti focused on basic needs like food, clothing, meals and shelter. Next was the need for medical treatment. But soon it became clear that the stigmatization of street children was a big challenge to overcome, if they should have a future on the job market and should be reintegrated into mainstream society. All children needed education. And even more, some intense network building was necessary to give these children a longer-lasting perspective.

Five years after the first start, Yenege Tesfa has been able to set up four different programs, whose aim is to support, to educate and to re-integrate. The overall goal is to show all street children and orphans a way out of despair and poverty.

 

>>Shelter

Dr. Mulat Abegaz and his family grew up in this house. Nowadays, to honour his parents, Dr. Mulat Abegaz leases their empty house to Yenege Tesfa. This was the beginning of the shelter in 2001. From that time on, Yenege Tesfa could help some of the most vulnerable street children by providing them a place to stay and sleep. It is not a life in luxury, but a shelter that provides protection against the dangers and health risks of street life. Clothes and other necessities are largely paid for by donations.

 

>>Educational and Vocational Support
One of the biggest success stories is the educational help program. All the children, sheltered by YT, attend school or take part in a vocational training. YT also provides schoolbooks and uniforms for vulnerable children who are not living in the shelter.


>>Healthcare

YT provides basic medical help at the local hospital for the children, sheltered by YT, and critically ill street people.

 

>>Income Generating Activities (IGA)

Participants receive a training, a start-up capital and/or materials to organize an income generating activity such as hairdressing, taxi driver, handicraft, metalwork, carpentry.

 

>>Life-skill Training

YT provides a training with the aim to help orphans to cope bad influences, to develop confidence and to be productive citizens.

 

>>Childright Workshop

Local entities get through YT the chance to follow a sensitization workshop on child rights and their responsibilities.

 

>>Reintegration and reunification

Reintegration and reunification programs, in which children typically are adopted by members of their extended families, are not a good solution for all kinds of street children.

But in some cases and after good preparation, reunification is possible. In the future YT would like to start a reunification program. Through identifying orphans and vulnerable street children and establishing contacts with their extended family or foster parent(s) in their community.

After assessment YT will support these new families by providing living expenses or IGA, by home-visits and by supervision.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

YenegeTesfa

Hope of Tomorrow

Parentless Street Children Organization - GONDAR/ETHIOPIA