Ethiopia Project

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

working with children, youths and families in vulnerable conditions

Specific requests:

advanced or intermediate level of English

Modality: in presence

Period: January - September

Minimum time: 1 month

Maximum time: 6 months

Context of the community in which he works

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia, a multicultural and very diverse city thanks to the various ethnic groups that converge there. Despite its increasing industrial development, it currently faces major challenges such as youth unemployment, poverty and inequality, and the abandonment of many populations, especially rural ones.

The Focolare community works with young people, children and adolescents, some of whom come from disadvantaged families where needs are not met. Many of these families live in extreme poverty and lack access to basic services such as adequate
education.

Its goals

In working with children, youths and families in vulnerable conditions, educational action is oriented towards the protection of human dignity and the promotion of
Gospel values.

Main activities carried out

Various actions are carried out in collaboration with other missionary institutions in the fields of health, education, art, culture, and refugee reception.

Volunteers profile

Students or professionals in the fields of education and health are welcome, as well as young people from other disciplines who are willing to get involved and demonstrate social sensitivity, intercultural openness, and motivation to engage in
a community service experience.

Ability to adapt to simple living conditions and to live in an intercultural context.

Tasks to be done

Depending on their formation, previous experience and availability, volunteers will be assigned to the service area that best matches their profile:

 Mother Teresa Center (Addis Ababa)
The Mother Teresa Center develops activities in the field of health, including assistance to patients of the health center who are in situations of abandonment, as well as support for children and adolescents living on the streets or with disabilities.
Rural Area (300 km from the capital)
Volunteers will be accompanied by a member of the Focolare of Addis Ababa.
The main activities include teaching English and promoting sports and artistic activities for children, adolescents, and young people from rural communities in the southern part of the country.
 Jesuit Refugee Service
Inspired by the love and example of Jesus, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they
may heal, learn, and determine their own future.
In Ethiopia, JRS has the Urban refugee centers in Addis Ababa located in Kirkos sub city. Volunteers from the fields of psychology, social work, English teaching, music therapy, and art therapy are especially needed.
 Zewditu Memorial Hospital
Is a hospital located in the center of Addis Ababa who has more than 1,000 workers. The hospital is glad to receive volunteers willing to:
- assist the patients without family,
- participate in the rehabilitation process,
- participate in occupational therapy in addiction therapy center
- share the experience from medical fields with the workers of the hospital