Reaching Out to Street Children in Ethiopia

Retrak Ethiopia has recently begun a new tradition: a Farewell Ceremony for children who are leaving Retrak and returning to their families. The ceremony celebrates a new beginning for these children, and it gives them an opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts on what they've experienced in our programs. At a recent Farewell Ceremony, the departing boys said that they were extremely grateful for the services that they received at Retrak. It's true that Retrak provided these children with essential services like food, shelter, medical care, education, counseling and recreation. We do our best to give street children a better life, but nothing can compare to the loving care these children will receive from their own families upon their return home.

One of the astonishing things we observed during the ceremony was that some of the boys were asking for forgiveness for the conflicts and fights they had had in the past with other children. The other children forgave them, and their friendships were sealed with a hug.

The ceremony ended by the departing boys cutting a loaf of bread together and sharing it with the other children. 

Today is #GivingTuesday! Please make a donation to Retrak today to allow us to help more street children return to caring and stable families.

Meet Ermias. Ermias comes from a very poor family in rural Ethiopia. His father passed away when he was very young. His mother had four children to support and couldn't afford to pay Ermias' school fees, so he had no option but to drop out of school. With no work to be had and therefore no money to be made in his poor village, Ermias decided to leave his home in search of a better life. He made his way to the capital city of Addis Ababa, where he hoped that he could find a job and make enough money to help his mother and siblings.

Ermias didn't find work in Addis Ababa, but he did find Retrak. At the Retrak clubhouse, Ermias was provided with a good meal and a safe place to sleep. In counseling sessions with a Retrak social worker, he expressed a keen interest in a vocational skills training program. Retrak helped him secure a place in a tailoring training program. He successfully completed his training and is now employed by a private garment company.

Ernias is now eighteen years old. He's gainfully employed and earning enough money that he can support not only himself, but also his mother and siblings. In the future he wants to open his own workshop and create job opportunities for other young people from his village.

With your help, Ermias has found a way off of the streets and back to his family and community. On behalf of Ermias and the other children in our program, thank you for your support.