In the middle 2004 IAS was asked by YMCA Germany to help out in managing a orphanage in Addis Ababa. The institution has been running for some years and currently there are some 27 children from destitute backgrounds. Ten of these children are boarders while the others visit the center on a daily basis. This is the first step in a long journey of cooperation between IAS and the people of Ethiopia.

Orphans at IAS supported orphanage in Addis Abeba (Photo: Andreas Zetterlund)

Our involvement in relief and development aid is driven by a desire to see more people have fulfilling lives with their basic needs met to the highest possible degree. The orphanage in Addis Ababa is a good beginning. The project is in line with our mission of saving lives in keeping with our heart of compassion to all people. It is a first step on a long journey of cooperation between IAS and the people of Ethiopia. It is with this attitude that IAS has recently expanded its activities to Ethiopia.

Tailor activities at the orphanage in Addis Ababa (Photo: Andreas Zetterlund)

Computer class at IAS supported orphanage in Addis Ababa (Photo: Andreas Zetterlund)

The parents from Norway, who all have children with mental handicap travelled and met with parents in similar situation. This is the first time such a meeting has taken place in the country and it became an emotional and powerful experience for both sides. The parents in Jijiga were able to see that the problems and the hardship they experience daily, other experience as well, in other countries. This gave them comfort.

The team of 8 people visited also the new building under construction, which will be the new special education unit of mentally challenged children in the region. A further cooperation will be developed between the parent associations in the future, after an association is formed and established in Jijiga.

Cooperation between the Teacher Training College in Jijiga and the Norwegian Teacher Academy in Bergen, Norway will also be established. In Addis Ababa the team met with parents from the “Ethiopian National Association for Mentally Retarded Children and Youth”. They also visited several institutions and made contacts which might result in a future cooperation on National level in the future.

Parents from Norway meet parents in Jijiga and a first contact is established.

The new Special Needs Education Unit under construction. It will be a place for the mentally challenged children and their parent. It will be a place for assessment, counselling and advice.