Social and Economic Development

Gewane Project - Waiting for Food

In 2003, AYELU started a pilot emergency relief programme in the Gewane Region of the Afar State. The area has been selected with the regional DPPC (Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission) and the Gewane Administration for its rich alluvial soil.

1200 hectares of land overlooking the Awash River have been distributed on 1200 households selected by the local authorities to be the target beneficiaries.

300 students from the Pastoral Agriculture Training School in Gewane have been recruited to offer basic agricultural training to these families. The purpose of which is to cultivate permanent irrigated pastures for their animals and dedicate small plots to grow vegetables and food for their consumption.

Through this relief emergency assistance, AYELU ran a Food for Work program to provide 6000 members of these families with food and to support the proposed long term food security sustenance program of agricultural development.

Our aims were to help those communities develop themselves and their lifestyle to achieve self-sufficiency, rather than rely on sparse provisions of food and water given to them too little and often too late.

Orphan Sponsorship Scheme

In 2005, AYELU started an orphan sponsorship scheme. The scheme runs in Addis Ababa where thousands of orphans roam the streets with little or no food, not to mention basic health care and education.

With as little as £22 a month, you can make a difference in an orphan’s life. Education, food and shelter for the orphan’s guardian or family will be provided, and the child’s progress will be closely monitored by our field team who make monthly visits to the sponsored child. Sponsors are kept updated by an annual report on their sponsored orphan.

In addition to the Orphan Sponsorship Scheme, AYELU has an Orphans General Fund (click to view details) which is used in medical emergencies, and in special occasions such as festivities and at the beginning of a new academic year when children need clothes, books and stationary. Donations to this fund are very valuable and make a significant difference in the quality of care we offer the orphans.

Should you wish to sponsor an orphan or donate to the Orphans General Fund, click here.

Udheyah/Qurbani

Every year, during the Islamic month of Dhulhija, and on the first day of Eid Ul Adha, Muslims follow the practice of Prophet Ibrahim (PBU) and sacrifice a part of their bounty for the benefit of the less fortunate.

And every year, on your behalf, AYELU slaughters and delivers the Qurbani meat to Afar families so that they can feed themselves and their children.

AYELU runs the Qurbani Scheme all year round. These valuable donations are much needed and appreciated as emergency relief, and with the dire need of those undernourished communities, they are welcome any time of the year.

Should you wish to donate a Qurbani/Udheyah click here.

Education and Training

In September 2005, AYELU started a modest school in Awash village of the Afar Region, in an area that overlooks the Awash River. The school aims at attracting the children of the pastoralists, and even the pastoralists themselves to teach them basic reading and writing skills. The school so far has proven successful with 21 children on role.

This modest school is the nucleus of what we hope to establish with your support. On the same site, AYELU is currently looking into building a centre that will house a school, and adult learning and training classes. Planning and a full study of the project are still underway.

If you wish to contribute to the Awash School, please click here.

Water

A feasibility study is currently underway to dig a well in the southern area of the Afar Region.