• Counseling
• Health
• Education Through Drama

• Development and distribution of IEC materials:
• Vocational training
• Drop-in-centers

Health Services

Empowerment Program for local stakeholders

Advocacy, Research and Networking

Counseling

The delivery of counseling services is an important element of the programs being provided for the target children. It has made tremendous contribution in helping children to bring about behavioral and attitudinal change and build confidence and self esteem.

Health

Most of the health problems being manifested among the children are emanating from poor personal and environmental hygiene. Therefore, the programs of the organization focus on preventive health programs and in educating the children to improve their personal hygiene, to get sufficient information regarding the modes of transmission and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, etc. Curative health services are also provided for children who need further examination and treatment. 

Education through drama and music

The project employs a range of activities that are designed to enhance the awareness of the community residing in and around the project area in particular and the public at large with regard to the situation of children exposed to sexual exploitation and the part that is expected on the part of society to reduce the problem. Using drama and puppet shows has proved to be the best way to deliver messages regarding health and other issues in schools and the community. It is an interesting and motivating way to attract the attention of the audience more than lectures. Using puppets in describing messages related to HIV/AIDS and STIs is particularly useful as many of the issues can be either embarrassing or difficult to discuss openly. Puppets can present stereotypes without causing offence and through introducing humor into a sensitive subject. The audience can also ask questions after the show.  The drama and puppet education team of the project performs educational and entertaining shows in schools, public gathering places and at different sites within the project area.  

Development and distribution of IEC materials: 

Preparation and distribution of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) among the community, children and families targeted by the project, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and schools as well as other stakeholders is one of the mechanisms through which information and educational messages pertaining to the issue of the sexual exploitation of children is being communicated with the community and the public at large. In this regard, CHAD-ET has developed a variety of educational materials containing basic information on the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, the issue of children migrating from rural to urban areas, what parents and children need to know to prevent sexual abuse of children, etc.  Furthermore, CHAD-ET publishes a local newsletter entitled “Menaheria” for distributing among the different stakeholders and the target communities. 

Vocational training

CHAD-ET believes that the lasting solution for improving the livelihood of vulnerable children is to assist them meet their basic needs. One of the ways through which they can get out of the problem is through creating an opportunity to get training in marketable skills. Hence, CHAD-ET has made arrangements for hundreds of children join different institutions for short and medium term training in marketable skills and the target groups have been able to either\  start their own small business or get employment. 

Drop-in-centers

CHAD-ET has established three drop-in-centers in Addis Ketema Sub-city (Merkato) area for delivering different services for its direct and indirect targets in the Sub-City. The purpose of establishing these drop-in-centers is to provide different services to the target children on one hand and to create a place where they can spend their spare time by reading books, play in and out-door games, meet their peers and use other facilities built in the premises of the center.   Given the serious lack of place for children and young people in the area, the establishment of the centers has made a great deal of contribution for protecting the target groups from roaming around the streets and indulge in criminal activities.

2. Education

It is evident that education is a key for development and a gate towards success. Hence CHAD-ET encourages and assists all its target children under the different programs get access to basic education.   Most of these children are enrolled into its basic education centers while others are attending their classes in government and public schools located in and around the project areas.  CHAD-ET provides scholastic materials and school fees. Currently, there are 900 children who are enrolled into the three Non-Formal Education centers in Addis Ababa.

3. Health 

HIV/AIDS 

CHAD-ET's involvement in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the effort it has made thus far to increase the involvement of the community in the provision of care and support is currently bearing good results. In this regard, it has trained peer educators, Home Based Care Providers and counselors, carried out prevention programs among youth in and out of school, women's groups and at places of work. Furthermore, it has been extending support for thousands of children who have lost their parents due to AIDS.

4. Empowerment of local stakeholders  

It is evident that community participation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success and sustainability of the any program.  CHAD-ET has, therefore, been working closely with the community in all stages of project development, implementation and assessment of the programs. In this regard, CHAD-ET organizes community campaigns, established children's affairs committees, developed and distributed IEC materials, fixed billboards regarding child right, the issue of child abuse, neglect and exploitation and the role of communities in the endeavor to protect their rights.  A series of programs were also broadcasted through radio stations. 

CHAD-ET assists mothers of vulnerable children in saving and credit-cooperatives as a way of increasing their income earning capacity to be able to support their children’s education after the phasing-out of the project. It also conducts training in basic business skills to let them acquire techniques on how to plan their business, analyze costs and select the type of business they prefer to engage in. There are five such cooperatives who have obtained certificate of registration with the government Agency that is responsible for the registration of cooperatives. Currently the cooperatives have nearly 400 members and a capital of 420,000.00 Ethiopian Birr.