TESFA HOPE campaign
Tesfa means Hope in Amharic, the language of Ethiopia.
Our campaign of action, fundraising and events brings hope to communities across the country.
Emergency relief - long term support - building civil society
Akima's story
CAMP OF HOPE
Building community for internally
displaced persons
Epsudink's story
A SHINING HOPE
Education and long term support for vulnerable children
HOPE FOR ALL
We have pioneered many innovative approaches
where we work with community groups and others
to build up and strengthen civil society
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
Akima's Story
Our home was in the east of the country, near Jijiga.
There’s me, my daughter who is 8 and my son son who is 4. I’m on my own since
my husband left but we were happy and settled in our home with my mother
living near.
Then life changed.
Tensions grew and gangs of youths have been attacking our homes and stealing all we have - some of my friends were killed. I was terrified that my children would be the next to die – so we took what we could carry and have come here to Bishoftu.
It’s hard for us. We have a room, but no blankets so we are cold at night.
I used to travel back home to Jijjiga, to some local goods from the area which I could re-sell in the market here, but there are new regulations and so these get confiscated on the road.
We get some rice and oil from the government but it is not enough. The children are
bored and hungry. My mother has now come to join us – so that’s one more mouth
to feed.
But there are good things too. Sadu my daughter has made a friend from a local
family. They play together every day and share all they have.
With JeCCDO's support we now have a new house, clean water and help with education and medicine. Life is looking better.
What we are doing......
Internally displaced persons are refugees within their own country.
This is a growing problem in Ethiopia with almost 2 million people driven from their homes. Trouble hotspots are the northern region of Tigray and the eastern border with Somalia where the conflicts over the border spill over into Ethiopia.
People like Akima are forced to flee and come to safer places. Here the government provides land for accommodation and growing food. We provide basic necessities like food and clean water. Our aim is to enable and empower new communities.
Watch a video of Bishan Guracha Camp. There are 6000 people living in this camp. We will support 150 families in desperate need.
Building simple but solid homes Installing tanks for clean water Emergency food distribution
SUPPORT INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
All donations are being doubled thanks to a supporter who has offered matched funding for the first £10,000 donated. So for each £1 you give - we receive £2.25 (including gift aid).
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SUPPORTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Epsudink's Story
Epsudink and her brother Miki were orphaned when their mother died.
Adanech, their aunt whose husband had died and who already had two children
of her own, welcomed Epsudink and Miki into her family.
Adanech was house-sitting and threatened with eviction. There was little money
and often she could only afford to give the children bread and water.
Epsudink had just started at school and had learnt to write her name,
but Miki was traumatised by his experiences and could not speak or communicate.
Life was hard but Adanech says:"I will look after these children until I die".
Our community co-ordinator visited them regularly. We helped the aunt set up a small business with training and a grant.
One year later we saw big changes. Adanech had been
helped to set up a small shop to gain a regular income.
Both children are at school. Miki talks and
Epsudink is proud of her reading.
Why Breakfast Clubs?
We supported a school at Genda Tesfa, which means Village of Hope. The school and community committee set up a Breakfast Club to help the poorest children out of poverty.
t went so well that we are now are working with two more schools
to set up Breakfast Clubs. These enable the poorest children
to go to school by providing a good meal at the start of the day;
and the school uniform, books and education materials.
Then in November 2021 we funded a second breakfast club at Biruh Tesfa School at Debre Birhan. This will support thirty of the poorest children with a breakfast at the start of the school day, school materials, and also support and a loan to the family to set up a small buiness to give lasting secuirty.
We want to continue this with more breakfast clubs.
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NEW DIRECTIONS IN DEVELOPMENT
Working with others for the benefit of all
We are first and foremost a children's charity. Our purpose is to see all children in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa live a fullfilled and creative life. Which is why we support children to go to school and their parents and guardians to build a regular and reliable income. This is the purpose of the Breakfast Clubs.
We believe that each community however poor and marginalised - has the determination and resources to care for their children. We work with and trust local leaders in Community Based Organisations to design and manage development strategies for all members. This is our aim in supporting new communities being formed of Internally displaced Persons.
We are also committed to work with others to build a strong civil society for the benefit of all. We support government initiatives; work with other development agencies; and provide training and investment for local people.
This has led us to set up new and innovative programmes.
These include
Support for girls at school, addressing problems of early marriage and gender based violence;
Training programmes in conflict resolution in areas with high levels of violence
Providing election observers from local communities.
A social safety net pilot scheme for the most vulnerable.
Read the newsletter from JeCCDO, our partners, to find out more about the work we do together..