Reaching Out to Street Children in Ethiopia

Last year, Retrak began working with two groups of street children in Addis Ababa who have been previously neglected: girls on the move and domestic workers. In our new transition center, Deborah House, 60 vulnerable girls now have access to shelter, food, medical care and a safe space in which they can express their needs and problems to those who will listen. We would like to share one of Retrak Ethiopia’s most recent success stories with you.

Abebech* is a 14 year old girl from a place called Ambo. Abebech’s aunt brought her from the family home to the capital city Addis Ababa and promised she would educate her. Instead, when Abebech arrived, she was forced to cook for the family and serve as a maid in her aunt’s home. After much begging to be allowed to go to school and significant verbal and physical abuse from her aunt’s family, Abebech ended up on the streets and then, eventually found her way to Deborah House.

Julyata Shibiru, Retrak’s program manager at Deborah House, says “It is like they are locked in a box and have no way of getting out and no escape. Retrak helps them to find a way out and gives them a chance to live as children again. These girls are very vulnerable but if you give them the chance they astonish you with their ability and creativity.”

Abebech has now been at Deborah House for 2 months and she says she loves it there. “Everybody gives me love and respect and the house mothers take care of me.  If I have anything to say they listen to me and if there are problems they help me to find solutions”. The police are working to help trace Abebech’s family as she couldn’t remember much about where she was from.

Abebech also says she is enjoying being with other children of her own age. When she leaves Deborah House Abebech says she wants to finish her education and then her dream would be to become an athlete.

Thank you for supporting Retrak Ethiopia so that we may continue to help girls like Abebech. 

Links:

• Retrak America's Website

The children in Retrak Ethiopia’s transitional home in Addis Ababa are having so much fun in our 10-week Creative Therapy program, that they don't realize they're undergoing therapy! Using art, drama and music, the program works to help children overcome past trauma and abuse and gain the confidence to move forward.

In a music therapy session, when listening to music with a slow tempo and in a minor key, one child said “the music reminds me of the feeling of loneliness on the street.” The counselor used this insight to help children share their sad and painful memories of life on the street, which the music brought to the surface. The children were then able to plan how they would leave the street and explore alternative options using their memories as an impetus for change.

During an art therapy session, children “decorated their names” by thinking of an adjective beginning with each letter of their name that could describe them. At the conclusion of the activity, one child said, “I didn’t give a thought to the meaning of my name before, but now I know there is hope in my name.” This realization gives children some positive support when they return home and face challenges.

In a drama session when each child was asked to choose a prop and use it to act out a scene, one child chose a farmer’s hoe and acted out ploughing a field. He said, “I remember, me and my father, we used to go far away from our village for ploughing.” During debriefing the child was able to face the regret he felt about leaving home. Then he was able to plan the process of reintegration and what he wanted to say to his father when he returned home.

For over 20 years Retrak has been working to return street children to their homes and families. Creative Therapy is just one of the ways that Retrak counselors work to help street children heal from their past and embrace their future. Thank you for your continued support of our vital work; we truly couldn't do it without you.

Links:

• Retrak America's website