Incorporating a number of programs, FSCE provides education, counselling, support and justice for poor children living in Dire Dawa - the second most populous city in Ethiopia. 

Education for a brighter future

Former street girls, living safely thanks to FSCE

Most FSCE beneficiaries are orphans or children from single parent families.  Their guardians don't have enough money to send them to school and generally keep them at home to help out with domestic duties.  FSCE has set up 3 informal primary schools in the poorest areas of Dire Dawa, serving approximately 400 children.  One is the only informal school in the area and there is a great demand for it to accept more students.  The informal schools offer a fast track programme which allows children that have started their education late to catch up.  The children stay there for three years, after which they can be accepted into formal, government-run schools.  Classes are run with one teacher to 50 students, a common ratio in both formal and informal schools.  FSCE pays for uniforms and books and also supports children financially once they are ready to enter formal education.

No longer learning on an empty stomach

Sadly, most students go to school without breakfast or lunch, which of course is not ideal for keeping their concentration on learning.  Ethiopiaid is now funding the provision of a basic but nutritional breakfast to the children to combat this issue.

FSCE students attend informal classes

Child protection

In Ethiopia, the sex industry is a terrible trap for young girls with no family or home.  They venture to big cities and due to having no education or skills, resort to the dangerous trade of prostitution.  HIV among sex workers in Ethiopia is as high as 50%, hence these girls are really gambling with their lives.  FSCE is working to reduce the size of the industry in Dire Dawa by operating several drop-in centres for girls that are at risk or already victims of the sex industry.  Here they are given counselling, support, shelter and education regarding health.  Some also attend the informal schools operated by FSCE.  Several of the girls are provided with an alternate means of generating income such as shoe polishing. Others are learning the trade of hair dressing so they can rely on a vocation to earn an income rather than prostitution. 

FSCE has a great relationship with the local government and police. Together, they have developed Child Abuse Response Units, which offer immediate support and seek justice for abuse victims.  The police here have excellent results, with almost 100% of cases being resolved. Moreover, since developing these units, they have noticed a marked decrease in abuse cases.

Behernu and Hagos eagerly learn English after receiving a nutritious breakfast