Addis Development Vision (ADV)
Ethiopiaid is proud to support Addis Development Vision, who work to change social attitudes towards disability in Ethiopia and provide access to education for disabled children.
Medical care for disabled people in Ethiopia is poor but perhaps a greater challenge is the social stigma associated with having a disability. Often it is perceived as a curse from God and this creates an impossible barrier to being an accepted and participating member of a community. Very few disabled children have access to school and many become prisoners in their own homes, locked away by their ashamed parents.
It doesn't need to be this way and the dedicated project team at ADV are working to bring about change.
Disabled people in Ethiopia need:
- A little extra help in their everyday life
- Medical treatment, sometimes physiotherapy and mobility aids
- People to have more awareness of and sensitivity to their condition
- The chance to participate in school, work and life with their able bodied peers
Addis Development Vision is helping by providing:
- A vocational training centre for disabled people. Many of the graduates start their own businesses on leaving and some return to mentor students.
- Care and rehabilitation for children in their own homes.
- Care work in the ADV centre, giving parents and care-givers time for themselves.
- Tailored educational support to those with disabilities.
- Access to mainstream schooling for disabled children.
- Help and training for teachers with special needs students.
- Home-based teaching for parents and care-givers to help them look after disabled children.
- Community and classroom education on the causes of disability to promote acceptance and integration.
The work of ADV is all-encompassing. The project improves health, increases access to education and in doing this reduces poverty.
Ethiopiaid is committed to helping disabled children in Ethiopia. Projects like ADV and the Menegesha Home (which focuses on medical care and rehabilitation) help give a better start to the lives of disabled youngsters. But please remember we can only continue to help these amazing projects with your support.