School Support for 130 orphan children-Addis Ababa

Introduction and Overview

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization, initially established in June 2016 and officially re-registered in May 2019, is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children in underserved regions of Ethiopia. The organization focuses on supporting orphans, children from child-headed families, and those from marginalized communities by addressing critical needs in education, healthcare, and nutrition.

Primary Focus Areas Include:

Academic Assistance: Providing educational supplies, conducting tutorial sessions, and offering snacks to boost school attendance and student engagement.

Health and Hygiene Initiatives: Conducting health education programs and distributing essential hygiene products to promote better daily well-being.

Food and Nutritional Aid: Addressing children's nutritional needs to fight hunger and prevent undernutrition.

Medical Insurance Coverage: Offering health insurance to ease the financial burden of medical costs.

Psychological support; Offering various forms of support and organizing events such as football games to encourage and uplift students.

 Yengat Birhan Charity Organization takes a comprehensive, child-focused approach that integrates educational assistance, health initiatives, and nutritional support to meet the diverse needs of vulnerable children and their families. The organization currently supports 136 school children, along with their mothers and households, as well as 7 women involved in income-generating activities (IGAs). Through an integrated support system, it aims to reduce various vulnerabilities, including the financial strain of medical expenses. By utilizing community-driven solutions, forming strategic partnerships, and implementing innovative programs, Yengat Birhan strengthens resilience and creates sustainable opportunities for learning, growth, and overall well-being—ensuring lasting impact for both children and their caregivers.

Major Achievements

Educational Support:

During May and June, tutorial classes in English, Mathematics, and Ethics with Life Skills were held three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 10:00 to 11:00 PM for local students. To accommodate those from remote areas, additional sessions were conducted every other Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 AM. These sessions were led by qualified instructors, including private school teachers for English and Mathematics.

In July, the focus shifted to a comprehensive summer program emphasizing life skills and holistic development. Supported by a structured curriculum, activities included psychological support, behavior change education, English language enhancement, and play-based learning. As it is summer and there is no school, we have prepared a special program three days a week for half a day in the afternoon, delivered by very skilled and experienced teachers.

Tutorials were paused in August to provide students with a well-deserved break, allowing them time to rest and prepare for the upcoming academic year.

Nutrition Support:

To enhance food security and improve nutritional intake, each child and their family received 1 liter of cooking oil and 5 kilograms of wheat flour every other month. Additionally, snacks were consistently provided during tutorial sessions to help maintain students’ energy levels and focus.

Health and Hygiene Support:

To support hygiene and well-being, students received hygiene kits—three bars of laundry soap and 250ml of hair oil—every two months. Forty-four girls were also provided with sanitary pads, and health education sessions were held for children and families to promote good hygiene practices.

Sanitation and Cleanliness:

Liquid soap and hand sanitizers were given to students and staff before snack time to help develop good sanitation habits and promote a clean and hygienic environment in classrooms and counseling areas.

Pyhcosocial/Discipleship Suppurt:

We actively identify students exhibiting psychological or behavioral challenges and provide targeted support through counseling and follow-up. Initial assessments are based on teacher observations and academic performance. Identified students receive individual or group counseling tailored to their needs, followed by regular monitoring to ensure progress. We also collaborate with parents, teachers, and, when necessary, external professionals to provide comprehensive and effective support that promotes student well-being and a positive learning environment.

These initiatives have addressed the immediate needs of children while also supporting their long-term well-being and empowerment. Yengat Birhan remains dedicated to responding to the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable children in the community.

Challenges Faced

One of our students was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer, which had already spread to her lungs. Upon learning of her condition, we immediately coordinated with her family to explore every possible treatment option. She was admitted to a private hospital where we, along with her loved ones, did everything within our power to support her medically, emotionally, and financially. Unfortunately, despite these efforts and the strength she showed throughout, her condition had progressed too far. She passed away in the month of July. This loss has deeply affected our team, her peers, and the entire community.

The organization faced major challenges due to rising inflation, increasing costs, and limited financial resources, requiring careful planning and selective allocation to sustain essential services. While stronger community partnerships and strategic planning have helped manage these difficulties, expanding and diversifying the organization’s funding sources remains a critical and pressing priority.

Key Insights Gained

Integrated Support Boosts Impact: The integration of support in education, healthcare, and nutrition created a synergistic impact, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the program.

Expanded Partnerships: Collaborating with various partners expanded program reach and strengthened community impact.

Adaptive Management: Ongoing monitoring and prompt adjustments maintained the relevance and effectiveness of the activities carried out.

Final Reflections

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization has made significant strides in improving the well-being of vulnerable children by addressing key needs in education, health, and nutrition. These combined efforts have supported both academic success and personal growth. Looking ahead, the organization remains committed to expanding its impact through innovative approaches and stronger partnerships.

                         Thank You!

Introduction and Overview

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization, originally founded in June 2016 and officially re-registered in May 2019, is dedicated to uplifting vulnerable children across under-resourced areas of Ethiopia. The organization primarily supports orphans, children from child-headed households, and those from marginalized backgrounds, tackling pressing challenges related to education, healthcare, and nutrition.

Primary Focus Areas Include:

• Academic Assistance: Supplying educational materials, organizing tutorial programs, and offering snacks to enhance school participation.
• Health and Hygiene Initiatives: Delivering health awareness programs and distributing basic hygiene items to improve daily well-being.
• Food and Nutritional Aid: Meeting children’s dietary requirements to combat hunger and undernutrition.
• Medical Insurance Coverage: Providing health insurance to alleviate financial pressures caused by medical expenses.
• Psychological support; providing different support and organizing event like football game to support the students.

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization adopts a holistic, child-centered approach that combines educational support, health promotion, and nutritional care to address the complex needs of disadvantaged children and their families. Serving 137 school children along with their mothers and households, as well as 7 women engaged in income-generating activities (IGA), the organization works to reduce vulnerabilities including those caused by medical expenses through an integrated support system. By leveraging community-based solutions, strategic partnerships, and innovative interventions, Yengat Birhan fosters resilience and builds sustainable pathways for growth, learning, and overall well-being, ensuring long-term impact for both children and their caregivers.

Major Achievements

1)     Educational Support:

Tutorial classes in English, Mathematics, and Ethics with Life Skills were regularly conducted three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday) for local students from 10:00 to 11:00 PM local time. Additionally, to accommodate children traveling from remote areas, classes were provided every other Saturday from 3: 00 – 6: 00 AM. These sessions were led by skilled teachers English and Mathematics taught by private school educators, and Ethics with Life Skills.

2)     Nutrition Support:

To address food security and improve dietary intake, 1littre cooking oil and 5kilogram wheat flour were distributed every other month to children and their families. Snacks were also continuously provided during tutorial classes to sustain students' energy and concentration.

3)     Health and Hygiene Support:

Hygiene items, including 3 pic laundry soap and 250ml hair oil, were distributed consistently per two month base to promote cleanliness and well-being among students. Additionally, 3 pack sanitary pads were distributed for 44 girls and health education sessions were conducted for both children and families, fostering awareness of good health practices.

4)     Sanitation and Cleanliness: Cleaning and sanitation materials, such as liquid soap and Hand sanitizers, were supplied to maintain a hygienic environment in classrooms and counseling spaces. This is facilitated to encourage personal hygiene practices among students and staff. 

5)       Pyhcosocial/Discipleship Suppurt; One of the most notable accomplishments on this quarter has been the successful organization and execution of a sportswear distribution initiative for 12 children. This effort goes far beyond simply providing clothing, it plays a vital role in empowering these young childrens to actively participate in physical activities, thereby enhancing their overall health and well-being. Moreover, by equipping them with appropriate attire, we are fostering their confidence, encouraging a sense of belonging, and promoting equal opportunity in sports and recreational activities. Ultimately, this initiative supports their holistic development: physically, emotionally, and socially, laying the groundwork for a healthier, more engaged, and resilient generation.

These initiatives have not only supported the immediate needs of children but also contributed to their long-term well-being and empowerment. Yengat Birhan remains committed to addressing the evolving challenges faced by vulnerable children in the community.

Challenges Faced

The organization encountered significant hurdles as escalating inflation and surging prices and limited financial resources necessitated meticulous planning and selective allocation to maintain vital support services. While enhanced collaboration with local communities and forward-thinking strategies have played a key role in navigating these difficulties, expanding and diversifying the organization’s funding base remains an urgent and ongoing necessity.

Key Insights Gained

• Holistic Intervention Models: Integrating support across education, healthcare, and nutrition created a synergistic effect, boosting overall program outcomes.
• Collaborative Engagement: Partnering with diverse actors enhanced program coverage and community impact.
• Ongoing Evaluation and Flexibility: Continuous monitoring and timely adjustments ensured relevance and effectiveness of implemented activities.

Final Reflections

Yengat Birhan Charity Organization has achieved meaningful progress in enhancing the well-being of at-risk children by addressing core needs in learning, health, and nourishment. These integrated efforts have helped foster both academic achievement and personal development. Moving forward, the organization is steadfast in its mission to broaden its reach and deepen its influence through inventive strategies and strengthened alliances.

                                                 Thank You!