“I really hope to complete my education”
Aniso (pictured above) lives in Addis Ababa and participates in one of Toybox's newest projects, run by our local partner, CHADET. This initiative focuses on helping street children gain access to both formal and non-formal education. In his own words, Aniso shares a glimpse into his life and his hopes for the future.
Family loss
"My mother died giving birth to my little sister. Soon after, my father abandoned us due to the conflict. While my younger sister was adopted, I was not. I was initially taken in by my aunt. However, this arrangement was short-lived, as my uncle, driven by a sense of responsibility after the death of our family, insisted I live with him. He lured me with promises of a job and continued education, but quickly broke those, making me work for him instead. Unhappy and feeling trapped, I considered escaping. Then, suddenly, my uncle decided to move me to Addis Ababa. However, he just left me on the road leading to the city."
At just 14 years old, Aniso was left completely alone, with no-one to care for him. He shares; "It's been 5 months since I started to live and work on the street."
A chance encounter
Fortunately, it wasn't long before a chance encounter introduced Aniso to the work of CHADET.
"A helpful person recommended I participate in the education project offered by CHADET. They encouraged me to enrol, mentioning the breakfast and lunch services, which were vital as I had no access to food at the time. They then linked me to the centre, where social workers helped me with the admission process."
Reflecting on his life in Addis before starting at the project, Aniso shares;
"I felt like I would never get a chance to go to school because I couldn't afford the fees, and I would be left without friends. I used to work the whole day with the retailers - carrying things, washing dishes and selling goods."
Transitioning to school
After enrolling at the project, Aniso initially found it difficult adjusting to a school environment, after working on the streets.
"The unfamiliar school environment initially made me uneasy. I struggled to concentrate in class and often skipped sessions to work. However, the social workers created a welcoming atmosphere, and I gradually began to feel comfortable and attend classes regularly. With encouragement from both the social workers and local retailers, I managed to balance my studies in the mornings with work in the afternoons."
Over time, school has become a source of excitement rather than anxiety for Aniso.
"Now when I go to school, I feel excited and happy. I have enjoyed learning to read and write in both Amharic and English. I also love calculating numbers."
A Day in Aniso’s Life
Aniso is now balancing school and the need to earn a living. He continues;
"Each morning before school, I clean the sleeping area where I've stayed. I then have breakfast at the education centre and attend class. After lunch, I prepare pastries and crisps to sell in the evening. I sell these items, along with eggs. At 5:30 PM, I return to the centre for dinner. Then I continue working until 8:00 PM. On weekends, I work full days for the retailers, helping with tasks ranging from dishwashing and cleaning to sales."
Like many children working on the city streets, Aniso's environment can be unpredictable. He shares;
"I am especially worried when intoxicated people come to, or pass by my workplace, as they sometimes damage my working materials."
Hopes for the Future
Despite the challenges he has already faced in his young life, Aniso is optimistic about the future and has a clear idea on what he wants to achieve, as well as his strengths. He shares;
"I’m good at business, and helping people. Both things are also what I love to do the most. I want to develop my speaking skills. I believe this will significantly benefit me during business activities, such as presentations and negotiations. I want to start and grow my own business, support my aunt, and be reunited with my sisters."
Aniso acknowledges the vital role the project has played in giving him hope. He concludes;
"I am deeply thankful to CHADET. Their support provided me with access to the educational services I needed, and it is because of them that I now have the confidence to dream big about my future."
Pictured below: Aniso studies at the education centre.
