Buckner International: Global Initiatives

Buckner in Ethiopia

NGO Status:
Buckner officially formed its NGO in January of 2007 while simultaneously merging with the Bright Hope Organization.

Program Sites:
Addis Ababa, Nazareth, Debre Zete, Bantu, Aksum

History:
In May 2006, Buckner expanded its African ministries to Ethiopia. Ethiopian President Wolde-Giorgis openly welcomed Buckner to aid his government and people in offering an opportunity for change. In order to propel a meaningful impact in Ethiopia, Bright Hope Ministries and Buckner merged to better meet the needs of children and families.

Buckner services and country support include:
• Foster Care -- The children’s foster care program is located in three areas, including Yeka, Gulele and Addis Ketema, all suburbs of the capital, Addis Ababa. Currently there are 461 children in the program living in more than 200 foster homes. While the primary client is the child, staff develops a plan with the family to become economically independent within three years. This is accomplished by helping the family identify a small business opportunity and then provide start-up capital.

• Church and Community Programs – include

• Basic Skills Training for disadvantaged women, who are provided basic job skills training in the areas of sewing and shoemaking in an effort to help move them from economic dependence to independence.

• Prevention and Rehabilitation of Street Children, operated in collaboration with UNICEF and the Addis Ababa Social and Civil Affairs Bureau, it is a six-month training program offered to street youth in the Addis Ababa area. Basic program components include shelter care, family reunification, training in multiple areas, case management, and capital start-up provision.

• Care and Support for People with HIV/AIDS and Affected Families: Distribution of nutritious foods, home-based care services and seed money for small businesses for individuals suffering the direct and in-direct effects of HIV/Aids.

• Community Development Program: Trained 80 locals to serve their community as a change/development facilitator and includes classes in social services, budgeting, economic development, micro-loans, health care and English.

• Vocational Skill Training and Community Program: In partnership with the Oromia Public Organization in Nazareth, training is provided in metalworking, leather, woodworking, hairdressing, and prosthetics.

• Distribution: The distribution of fruit and vegetable seeds, vitamins and food to over 300,000 Farmers in the Oromia region. Local families unable to afford seeds are provided, at no cost, enough seed to sustain their small farms for food and selling in the market.

• Residential Ministries: Institutional Childcare Adoption Center: A temporary home for children waiting on a matching family from the U.S. All the children will have been adjudicated abandoned and eligible for adoption. A full array of social services will be provided while in placement.

• A Buckner-supported baby home for children from infancy to 3 years of age.

• An adoption program that will be the lowest-cost program Buckner provides. This program will Offer a faster adoption process of only six to 12 months.

• A Community Development Center in Bantu which will include a kindergarten through eighth Grade school, a church, an expansion of an existing health center, a water well and an adult.

• Literacy program. Mission trips to lead VBS, provide medical and vision care, and adult-education training. Community development ministries in Aksum providing humanitarian aid, community assessment and evangelism.

You can provide change in Ethiopia in 2008:

• Buckner/Bright Hope will work with the Ethiopian government to meet the needs of at-risk children and families through the establishment of 20 Community Development Centers during the next five to seven years. These centers will provide basic education, hygiene and health care to the surrounding communities and allow us to share the gospel by demonstrating the love of Christ. The first of such is located in Bantu (approximately 45 miles from the capital) and is currently under construction. The total cost of the Bantu project is about $360,000. The next two locations have been selected near Awasa, Ethiopia.