Positive Action Charity Organization is a non-religious charity organization
registered with the Ethiopian government. Its founder, Ms. Isheba Tafari, has been living and working in Shashamane since
1997. Our project, the Yawenta Children’s Center, was opened on March 1, 2008.
Where we are:
Shashamane is a rapidly developing town located 250 km south of the Ethiopian capital
Addis Ababa. The main sources of income for its population of now 250,000 are agriculture and trade, while jobs in the industrial
sector are few. The majority of the people are poor, and many children suffer from malnutrition and diseases caused by lack
of hygiene. Education is unaffordable for those who live as beggars or depend on food aid. In addition, Shashamane, a transit
town connecting the capital to the eastern and southern regions, has many bars and brothels, leading to a high HIV rate. Some
children born to HIV positive mothers are also infected.
Our aims:
- To ensure the health and survival of HIV positive and other vulnerable children
by providing for their medical and nutritional needs;
- To educate these children to become responsible, independent and self-sufficient
adults;
- To raise awareness amongst the population concerning health, hygiene and nutrition.
Our beneficiaries:
We started our project in March 2008 with 10 HIV positive children between the ages
of 3 and 6. In June, we added another 16 beneficiaries, selected primarily because they come from extremely poor, usually
HIV+ families, or are full orphans. By now we cater for 30 children, including 14 HIV+ children and one mentally retarded
boy. Two children now live with us, and two more are on the waiting list to be accepted in the project.
What we do:
We provide day-care from Monday to Friday, including kindergarten education by qualified
teachers. Our children receive four healthy, balanced meals a day, and we pay for all medical costs. We also provide free
transportation to and from the project, occasional field trips, and clothes. We advise the parents of HIV positive children
on health issues such as vaccinations, food and hygiene. Most of all, we show the children love and care. Recently we have
started providing temporary shelter for children whose situation at home is not acceptable.
Why we need help:
Taking care of these children properly takes money. We believe that poor, HIV positive
or handicapped children have the same right to proper food and quality education as the children of rich people. Although
we can’t ensure this right for all children everywhere, we can start somewhere: with these 30 little ones. So far, we
have received donations only from private sources, although we have recently applied for funding from the relevant government
offices as well. We therefore depend on your support in order to help these children.
How you can help:
You can contribute by becoming a sponsor for one of our children. For €22 (US$
30, ₤ 20) a month, we will send you personal information about your child’s progress and inform you exactly how
the money was spent.
Differently, you can send any amount you wish to give to the following charity account:
Positive Action Charity Organization
Acc. Nr. 00295 1569 8001
Swift Code: DASHETTA
Dashen Bank Shashamane Branch
Shashamane, Ethiopia
Contact Address:
Isheba Tafari
P.O. Box 294, Shashamane, Ethiopia
Mobile Phone: 251-911-83 34 63
Email Sister Isheba:ivision33@yahoo.com
