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Expanding educational access for street children in Addis Ababa

Updates • Oct 2024

Toybox is thrilled to announce the launch of a new pilot project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aimed at increasing access to both non-formal and formal education for 250 street children. The initiative, which will be run by local partner, Chadet, seeks to empower children in street situations by providing educational opportunities and a safe, supportive environment that nurtures their social and emotional well-being. The project will focus on three key objectives:

Piloting the provision of non-formal education: Selected children in street situations will receive non-formal education, helping them build essential literacy and numeracy skills in a setting that is both flexible and accessible, with a longer term aim of these children being able to have a broader education in a formal school.

Facilitating evening classes: For children who have previously discontinued their education but wish to continue, the project will arrange evening classes* in regular schools, giving them the chance to pursue their studies within a traditional educational environment.

Integration into Government Schools: Through close consultation with the Education Bureau’s authorities, the project will help transition children into regular government schools, enabling them to experience a formal education structure and community.

The project will primarily target street children who have either never attended school, have dropped out, or do not have functional literacy or numeracy skills. Alongside educational support, these children will receive regular psychosocial support and counselling. This is intended to create a safe, inclusive space where their emotional and social skills can flourish, building resilience, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Speaking on the expansion into a new country, Lynne Morris, Toybox CEO, shared;

“Sadly, we were aware of the high numbers of street children in Addis Abba. The situation for some children is desperate with many not knowing where they will sleep from one night to the next. Following a comprehensive due diligence exercise, we have found an amazing partner, Chadet, and are excited about how we can help to improve the lives of some of these children.

This work, in Ethiopia, is core to Toybox’s identity – to help children scraping a living from the streets and sleeping rough on open pavements at night, vulnerable and at risk from any passer-by. The initial focus of the project is to get 250 children into non formal education with a keen focus on young girls. We are hopeful that this project is a springboard to supporting more street children in Ethiopia.”

Do keep an eye on the website for stories and updates from this new project in the coming months.

You can find out more about Toybox's education work around the world here.

*In Ethiopia, the high number of school-aged children combined with limited school capacity has led many schools to operate in two shifts. This system allows students to attend either in the morning or in the afternoon/evening. The afternoon/evening shifts are especially beneficial for children and young people who are unable to attend school in the morning due to other responsibilities, such as working to earn a small income essential for their family's daily needs.

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