Ethiopia
Sustainable food security and income security in rural areas
Deforestation across entire regions, a severe lack of clean drinking water, and limited knowledge about healthy, balanced nutrition—many people in rural Ethiopia are trapped in a cycle of challenges and a lack of hope. This has devastating consequences, especially for children. Poor harvests and increasingly extreme weather conditions are leading to more cases of malnutrition and undernourishment, which hinders children’s development in every way. We help families generate a regular income, support reforestation programs, and advocate for greater food security. In this way, we help ensure that children and their families once again have prospects and the chance to lead self-determined lives.
Background
The majority of the population in Ethiopia’s Gurage Zone works in agriculture. Deforestation, recurring droughts, locust swarms, and the resulting drastic deterioration of soil fertility characterize the lives of people in this central Ethiopian region. Due to poor harvests and dependence on subsistence farming, many of them suffer from malnutrition and general food insecurity. A lack of agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, as well as limited sales opportunities and difficult access to water, further exacerbate the situation.
Women, particularly as the primary breadwinners of families, face especially significant challenges in this context. They often have few opportunities to earn money themselves. As a result, many find it nearly impossible to adequately provide for their families. Their children feel the consequences most acutely: they suffer from malnutrition due to a lack of essential nutrients such as proteins and vitamins. Due to their families’ low income, many children are also unable to attend school because there is no money for school supplies and uniforms. Instead of exercising their right to education, they often have to help out at home, tend to livestock, and assist in the fields or with fetching water. A cycle of poverty, dependency, and a lack of prospects begins.
We are committed to helping the people of Ethiopia and support women in establishing a steady income and ensuring food security for their families. This enables children to attend school regularly and thus have better prospects for the future.
Our Work in Ethiopia
In collaboration with our local partner organizations, we are committed to bringing about sustainable change in Ethiopia through a holistic approach.
Increase in income
We help women develop their own sources of income and thereby improve their families’ financial situation. To this end, we support Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). In these village-based savings and microcredit groups, women organize themselves independently to gain access to small loans. Unlike in Germany, there is no option in Ethiopia to borrow money from a bank. In workshops, the women also learn to read, write, and do arithmetic, and they receive training in modern farming methods. In addition, we provide them with improved seeds so they can increase their yields and, as a result, improve their families’ food security and income.
Häufig gefragt
What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?
Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.
How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?
The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.
How does ChildFund Germany work?
Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.
What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?
Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?
We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.
How can I support ChildFund Germany?
There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.