Harar

An amputee who receives support from Cheshire Services

In a workshop hidden away in an alleyway of a poor Harare kebele, an amputee who has benefited from Cheshire's micro-finance programme is hard at work. With just one arm, he turns 'US AID' tin cans into sieves which he now sells in the wholesale market. He is one of the many people benefiting from Cheshire's livelihood support scheme. The scheme provides funds to those with disabilities to help them develop their own micro-businesses. By generating their own incomes they can take control over their destinies and they are empowered to strive for success.

Cheshire Services also runs a successful home-based rehabilitation programme in Harar for children affected by cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, learning difficulties and many other physical and mental problems. In addition to this, Cheshire Services is working with students and teachers from local schools and over four thousand of the region's inhabitants a year. It aims to educate them about the real causes of disability and how to help disabled people to achieve their full potential and become fully-integrated into society.

An inclusive kindergarten educates a class of 30 children each year, out of which 10 have developmental problems, cerebral palsy or paralysis of lower limb. The children's families are too poor to send their children to private kindergartens. These children are provided with extra educational support and financial assistance and are educated alongside their peers. This kindergarten is the first of its kind in Harar and a model for the region.

Vocational skills training is available to youths with disabilities, youths with a disabled family member and youths from economically marginalized families. In 2007, almost 50 youths were provided with training in wood work, metal work, hair dressing, or embroidery, giving them the skills they need to create a future income.

How can you help?

Ethiopiaid is helping children to walk so that they can take the first steps towards a brighter future full of opportunity. Just £60 can buy a walking aid to help a child to walk again or maybe for the first time - please remember that this can only be done with your support.