CHADET’s understanding of poverty as the lead cause to marginalization and as the main barrier to achieving children’s aspirations had led it to develop and implement a diversity of programs and projects that are aimed at making contributions towards improved livelihoods, economic empowerment for women and household nutrition thereby reducing the vulnerabilities of children to different forms of challenges in their lives and in their transitions into adulthood.

Improved Livelihoods

CHADET has developed and implemented a tailor-made short term training programs for marginalized and unemployed young people within its own training center and through arrangements which have been made with Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) located in both rural and urban settings. In collaboration with the Addis Ababa TVET Agency, CHADET has made contributions in the development of short-term curricula to address the heavy burden of youth unemployment in Addis Ababa. The fields of training for which such curricula were developed include automotive painting, basic plumbing, gypsum work, male hair cut, leather foot wear design and processing and welding and metal work. Subsequently, it developed short term training modules on plumbing; masonry and carpentry; bar bending and leather works. Such training programs are often accompanied by apprenticeship and training programs on life skills, job readiness and work ethics. All trainees undergo through CoCs for ensuring accreditation.

 

 

CHADET has helped young people and care givers to develop skills to address their own needs and be able to support their households. Care givers were encouraged to get organised in Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SaCCOs) to develop a culture of saving and improve household income. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) were created with various institutions including Leather Industry Development Institute, Ethiopian Leather Industry Association, Construction Inputs Industry Development Institute and Metals Industry Development Institute. In consultation with relevant government stakeholders, attempts have also been made to establish youth employment/job centers to enhance the chances of employability of young people who have undergone skills and vocational training. Moreover, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labour and Social Affairs, Ethio-jobs was commissioned to set up digitalised Public Employment Service Centers in the four Sub-cities of Addis Ababa.

Household Nutrition

CHADET believes that household food insecurity faced by poor households is caused by lack of capability to produce sufficient food for their families and for sale. As most families lack the resources and skills to diversify and improve their dietary needs, CHADET provides technical and material support to low-income households to diversify their sources of food and improve their nutrition through the proper use and management of their agricultural plots.

Economic Empowerment for Women

One of the ways through which gender equality is … through strengthening the economic ..of girls and women. Hence, through establishing agri-business incubation hubs, and provision of seed money and resources, CHADET is assisting girls and women to …sustainable income …By undertaking an ecosystem mapping and analysis of opportunities, CHADET is strengtheing the entrepreneurial skills of project participants. Over 1,000 girls and women are currently engaged in potato and bitroot production, poultry, animal husbandry, etc. and creating value chains through value addition and widening market opportunities. CHADET is obtaining technical support from African Agri-business Incubators Network (AAIN) to promote opportunities for job creation and food production.