In the Autumn of 2024, Toybox launched a new pilot project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Here, Naomi Hall Opiyo, Toybox's Director of Impact and Programmes reflects on her recent visit to Addis, where she met new local partner CHADET and some of the first children enrolled into the new education programme.
"Although this was my first visit to the Ethiopia with Toybox, it was my fourth visit to the country. Two things struck me within hours of arriving this time: the rapid construction and development since my visit five years ago—new roads, hotels, tall buildings, and restaurants transforming Addis Ababa—and the many children, some with their mothers, on the streets during the day, away from the upscale, developed areas.
The reality of street life
On arrival at the hotel after an overnight flight, I looked out of the window and saw a small rubbish dump behind a row of makeshift houses. With the constant clinking sound of manual labourers’ tools on a nearby construction site in the background, I saw several children sifting through the rubbish, trying to salvage what they could find to sell- or possibly eat.
The numbers of children in street situations in Addis is unknown as no official headcount has been done for over 15 years. Unicef and NGO estimates in 2022 were that there were approximately 60-100,000. However, the recent conflict in the Tigray and Amhara regions of the country has led to high levels of migration to the capital and so the actual numbers are thought to be much higher.
Push factors for migration
Poverty and traditional beliefs also fuel migration. Child marriage is a major push factor for girls. According to Unicef figures, 14% of girls in Ethiopia are married by age 15 and 45% of girls in Amhara are married by age 18. Many girls run away to the city when they find out they are to be married, or to escape the marriage.
Approximately 2.7 million people are internally displaced in the country due to conflict and climate change- many end up in the capital. Those in resettlement camps and vast rural areas are particularly vulnerable to trafficking. Traffickers exploit women and girls searching for better opportunities into domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys and men are trafficked into traditional weaving, construction, agriculture, forced begging, and street vending.
Meeting the children: A milestone day
During my time in Addis, we visited the CHADET education centre in the Merkato area of the city, which has some of the highest numbers of street connected children in the city. This was a really special event to be part of as it marked the first day that the initial group of children enrolled into the new project came to the centre. For the majority this was their first ever day in school! The children were really happy to be in school and told us about their excitement to learn and their dreams for the future. About 90% of the children were born outside the capital- highlighting the impact of migration on the numbers of street connected children.
Pictured below: (L) Two participants from the new education project in Addis. (R) The education centre in Addis.
The challenge of shelter
After a while, around lunchtime, the children started to get a bit restless. Although this was eased by a hot meal provided, the staff explained this was largely due to anxiety about where they would sleep that night. Shelter is one of the primary challenges for the children in street situations that Toybox works with around the world. However, this was the first time I had heard of children being so stressed themselves early on in the day about where they would sleep that night.
In other contexts, they may have a temporary shelter, or particular places or bases they may sleep. In Addis, many children pay for a tiny bit of floor to sleep on which may be in a different place each night, and the available spaces get taken- putting them at increased risk. The staff drew out the small area with their hands. My heart ached for these children, knowing they needed to go out and sell some more tissues or sweets to passers by to secure their space. Witnessing such heavy levels of stress and responsibility on their young shoulders was heartbreaking.
Making a difference
This is why we are so pleased to be starting to support some of these children. They are the most vulnerable children Toybox is working with. Although the scale of the numbers in need can appear overwhelming- and this initial project will focus only on education, we can make a difference with the group selected, and in close collaboration with the Government, replication and scale up is possible.
I was really drawn to one child in the front row of the classroom who reminded me so much of my youngest daughter- around 8 years, similar height and cheeky smile. She desperately wanted to write something on the blackboard like some of the other children had done but looked down when she admitted she couldn’t write. “Yet” I wanted to add. I am very much looking forward to going back to watch her write not only her name but to hear all she has learnt. Education is the foundation for these children to improve their life chances and realise their rights. Something that every child should be able to attain."
