Emmanuel Development Association (EDA), in collaboration with the Geneva Global, has supported vulnerable children with its accelerated learning Program (ALFA). The program aims to bring positive change in children and their mother’s life by bringing these out of school children back to school and shorten the three years primary school curriculum to one year by applying accelerated learning strategies
Student Gudeta Hirpo Lenjiso was born in 2010 G.C/2003 E.C from his mother Kuftu Kumbi and his father Gudeta Hirpo in Oromia region, Dugda woreda at Giraba Korke Adi kebele. He is seventh child in his family and has three lower sisters and brothers too.
…Gudeta did not join school when he was seven (7) years old as any other children’s in his area because he is a hand cap and suffer from illness for half of his age said his mother. Now Gudeta is 11 years old.

The 2021 EDA ALFA intervention was one starting way to school for Gude. He was happy now his family were also too because, their child is now at school, not in the home and he is an amazing clever student in his class and he was scored an Av. of 79.5 (A/O=76, Maths=75, En.Science=82 & Geda= 85) in the first phase curriculum and have ranked 8th out of 30 students in his class but he needs strong psychological treatment to avoid his fear due to his disability.
There is one critical challenge to Gudeta now. He came to school not always by his effort but on back of his mother as a baby child. He needs our support to continuou his class yes, he needs our support!!

‘No matter how far life pushes you down no matter how much you hurt, you can always bounce back’’
George S.Patton.

Twenty years ago, Bekelech was a single mother who was unable to feed or educate her 4-year-old daughter. Her husband had been killed in the war and she could not find employment.
Bekelech dreamed of opening a stall in the local market in her impoverished neighbourhood near Addis Ababa. She was accepted into the EDA family help program and provided with business training and a start up grant of 3,300 Bir ($115 US) for initial rent payments and to purchase the grains that she would sell.
She worked hard to realize her goal and is proud of her achievements. Today, Bekelech is independent and financially stable. Her daughter was able to attend primary and secondary school and has recently graduated from university as an accountant.
Bekelech recognizes the work that she put into her business, but she is also grateful for the help and support provided by EDA. “I wouldn’t be the kind of person I am today without EDA”.

Three years ago, a group of seven unemployed women approached EDA with the goal of starting a community savings and credit association (SAC). They formed a self-help group and were approved for intensive training in business management and financial management and savings.

The Kuloberet Savings and Credit Association now has 132 members. Members deposit 10 Bir ($3 US) a week and after the first year,

When Yetimwork lost her nephew and his wife to disease, she took over the care of their small son. Life was difficult; she had little income and lived in a simple, one-room rental house. There was a small shed on her rental property as well as a walled yard. Yetima was sure that she could