The Beneficiaries

For many children in rural Ethiopia, life can be difficult and with few opportunities. Children are orphaned by war and famine, sometimes left to care for younger siblings without an income, skills or access to education. Everyday, children arrive in Addis Ababa in search of a better life, either by their own motivation or following the encouragement of evil opportunists, keen to introduce them to the sex trade. Without money or the means for shelter, many of these children find themselves condemned to life on the dangerous streets of an impoverished city. They are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Many of the girls turn to prostitution as the only available means of income.

The Mission

Chad-Et has two main aims - to protect and rehabilitate children exposed to sexual exploitation and to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Chad-Et is based in the largest market area of Addis Ababa, also home to the city's central bus terminus. As such, it is often an arrival point for many children coming to the city.

Chad-Et offers a safe house for these children and is dedicated to preventing them from entering, or going back to, a life of prostitution. They employ some individuals to act as peer educators and teach those who visit the centre about the dangers of prostitution. Many previous beneficiaries stay involved with the organisation to act as mentors for younger generations.

Creating opportunities

Psychological support is extremely important, however, no less important is offering the children alternative means of obtaining an income. Chad-Et has a library in which the children can study and develop skills for other work and it actively helps them to find alternative employment or schooling. Chad-Et has developed great working relationships with successful hotels in Addis Ababa. It provides training such as cleaning, washing and cooking so its beneficiaries can be employed ready-to-work by the hotels. When these young people develop the skills required, their confidence is lifted and they no longer have to resort to dangerous activities to provide for themselves.

Chad-Et girls presenting a meal at catering school

Theatre for Change

The threat of HIV/AIDS transmission is very real, especially for those involved in prostitution. Chad-Et aims to fight this through education and has discovered an innovative way of doing so.

Twice a week, a theatre group made up of children from Chad-Et perform a blend of traditional song, dance and acting in the streets of Addis Ababa. The stories focus on important issues, like the rights of women and children and the dangers of HIV/AIDS. In a country where many are illiterate and social issues are sometimes taboo, this has proved to be a very effective way of increasing awareness.

Moreover, some of the very talented youths that perform in these shows have since taken jobs in other theatre productions and restaurants as professional performers!

Chad-Et performers impress the audience with traditional dance techniques