Quality Education for Orphan & Vulnerable Children

Following the COVID-19 pandemic last year, schools have been closed globally and nationally. Now preparations are being made to safely reopen schools with COVID-19 protection measures in place. Eighth and Twelfth grade students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have returned to class since October 26, 2020. Following this we have restarted our tutorial services at BHE’s drop in center so that students have the extra support they need to pass their national exams. 

We have been highly encouraged by the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant we were awarded from GlobalGiving for our work focusing on supporting vulnerable children and families from the negative health, economic, educational and psychological impacts of COVID-19. Earlier BHE responded to the pandemic by providing emergency food support to vulnerable families, educational support to students studying at home and psychological guidance and counseling to vulnerable children and their families.

Using the grant BHE has been awarded, we are ensuring our back to school preparations are in line with international and national COVID-19 protection guidelines. We have provided our students attending tutorials with face shields, masks, hand sanitizers and physically distanced chairs.

This year we have 5 students taking the 8th grade exam and 3 taking the 12th grade exam. During school closure, we had been providing them with supplementary materials to support their studies at home. Along with the two grades, BHE is working on restarting tutorials for other grade students as well. While school has not yet reopened for other grades, we are providing the students with orientation on COVID-19 safety during school and tutorials.

As we orient and support younger students in getting back to school, youth in our program such as Tigist, are volunteering and facilitating our sessions. Tigist is a bright young woman in university in her final year studying Construction Management Engineering. 

Tigist had a difficult journey as a young child. Her mom and dad separated early on and her mom brought her to Addis at the age of eight. “I lost the mom I loved suddenly due to illness right after I became 13 years old” Tigist stated with sadness. “After losing our mom, life became very difficult.” Her mom passed away leaving her and her younger sister in the care of their aunts. Tigist’s aunt worked as a janitor in a government office with low pay which was not enough to cover their basic needs. 

Tigist joined BHE when she was a 12th grade student. Despite her challenges, she was attentive in school and followed her studies. BHE provided her and her aunt with basic needs, health, educational support and counseling. Tigist was able to join university and now is a model of hard work and dedication to the younger students in our program.

Tigist states that counseling and life skills building sessions truly supported her. “The advice and examples we were given during our group sessions seemed simple at the time. I realized their importance when I encountered the issues we discussed in real life and used the skills I had learned.” Tigist expressed.

Tigist often volunteers in her free time at our drop in center providing guidance and mentorship to the younger children. As they prepare to go back to school, Tigist is a shining example that they can succeed through education and hard work despite the challenges they face.  

Thank you for supporting BHE in its work of ensuring vulnerable youth have the quality education they deserve so they may succeed and inspire other youth!

Links:

• Visit our website
• Follow us on Facebook
• Subscribe to our blog