An Example of Inclusion and Tolerance in Jimma, Ethiopia

The SOS Children’s Village Jimma in Ethiopia is located in the Oromiya region, where the cost of living is on the rise in terms of food, clothing, health care and education. This makes it increasingly harder for families to provide for their children in a country where 40% of children under five are undernourished, and primary school attendance is as low as 41%.

Fortunately, SOS Children’s Villages established programs in Jimma, including an SOS Village, an SOS Kindergarten and school, a Social Centre and a Medical Centre. These programs ensure that families in the community are supported, and the Children’s Village alone 150 orphaned and abandoned children are well cared for and loved in family homes.

The children in the SOS Village have high hopes for the coming months. Tamirat Ashenafi , 10, a grade four student aspires to improve his grades, like the many other children in the village inspired by the schooling opportunities provided for them. “Last year I scored 85 percent in Afan Oromo [language] and 75 percent in science,” he says. “I will work harder this year and be more attentive in class so I can score 90 and 89 percent respectively. These two are my favorite subjects”

With a diverse range of religious and cultural beliefs throughout the region, most notably Muslim and Christian, children at SOS Jimma learn to respect and participate in different cultural events, especially important in a region where cultural intolerance can be high.

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.