ETH 13 - EMMAUS SHELTER: A SAFE HAVEN TO REGENERATE
Project Location
The project is carried out in Addis Ababa, in a peripheral area of the city called Yeka Michael Sub City, which every day becomes more populated and flooded with unemployed people looking for a job. In front of the house of the missionary nuns there are several containers converted into small shops where bread, coffee, tea and fruit are sold, frequented by several young people who come from the countryside in search of work and means of survival.
In particular, the girls arrive in Addis Ababa with many dreams in their hearts that they are unable to realize, thus increasing the already very large bands of existing poverty. These situations penalize especially the girls who, very often, become victims of human trafficking or victims of sexual abuse, ending up on the street perhaps with children to look after.
Ethiopia is the eighth nation among the 20 countries with the largest population of internally displaced persons due to conflict and violence; at the end of 2022 these amounted to more than two million people. Ethiopia, together with Somalia and Eritrea, are the most affected countries of origin in the region, in international trafficking and smuggling; in addition, Ethiopia is a major source of irregular migration for men, women and children exposed to situations of exploitation or subjected to abuse, kidnapping and extortion during the journey and at final destinations.
Project description
In the rapid and profound change of Ethiopian society, conditions of economic, political and social difficulties emerge daily that particularly affect young girls. Many of them emigrate to Arab countries, while others come to the city to work. Many of these girls are often abused in the same families where they work, thus ending up being victims of human trafficking or sexual abuse that often lead to unwanted pregnancies, as well as being kicked out of their jobs.
In order to help these girls, the Emmaus Shelter was born, which offers a reception service for single mothers that lasts from three to six months. During this period, the girls live in the shelter and learn to take care of the child and to love him, while they follow small programs that enrich them with professional skills.
Particular importance is given to the physical, psychological and spiritual rehabilitation of women and their reintegration into society, teaching them handicrafts so that they can sell their products at the local market. The girls are helped to find the ways of a process, both economic and human support, to then leave the shelter and reintegrate into the society from which they come.
The project takes place in two phases, a first phase of reception and assistance for the duration of at least six months, after the weaning of the child, in which the young people are accompanied to a psycho-physical recovery. The second, more complex, in which the young people are committed to finding the ways of a reintegration both at a social, family and work level. Our accompaniment in this process (both economic and human support) lasts for at least another three months after leaving the shelter.
Objectives
- Assist young women and their children who need a space to regenerate, heal and start a new life, offering them food, shelter and medical services when necessary.
- Teach women small manual jobs, such as making a series of local handicrafts to sell, so that they can be economically independent after the experience at the shelter.
- Offer emotional and human support to victims of violence.
Beneficiaries
Direct: the 20 women who will be guests of this family home and their children. The girls' ages range from 13 to 35.
Indirect: their families and the entire society
Referent sisters: sr Yamileth Bolaños and sr Tilde Ravasi
Project's costs