World Vision Ethiopia accomplishes 11 million USD Development Project, Launches another 11 million USD Development Project

Addis Ababa (December 8, 2015) – World Vision Ethiopia officially launches today Engaged, Educated, Empowered, Ethiopian Youth (E4Y) project.  This effort aims to address exploitative child labor in Ethiopia by promoting education and vocational training opportunities and enhancing livelihoods opportunities and access to social protection programs for youth and their households. The project worth over 11 million USD is funded by United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and is expected to reach 12,000 youth (54% girls & 3.3% children with disability), 7,500 Households  and 10,000 non-target youth in Amhara and the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional Sates.

 “The project is all about improving the lives of the most vulnerable youth.  It is an integral part of World Vision Ethiopia’s (WVE) focus on child well-being,” Said Mr. Sean Kerrigan, National Director of World Vision Ethiopia. “This follows successful implementation of the Ethiopian Fighting Against Child Exploitation (E-FACE) project worth over 11 million USD development project in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region and the Addis Ababa City Administration funded by United States Department of Labor (USDOL). Together with our partners we continue to build on what we have learned as we look towards the future,” he added.

His Excellency Mr. Abdul Fatah Abdulahi, Minister of Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs on his part said “As we celebrate our joint successes in implementing E-FACE, I look forward for the advent of Engaged, Educated, Empowered, Ethiopian Youth (E4Y) project. The government of Ethiopia is committed to support World Vision in implementing Engaged, Educated, Empowered Ethiopian Youth (E4Y) Project in the SNNPR and the Amhara regions.”

Her Excellency Amb. Patricia Haslach, Ambassador of the United States to Ethiopia on the launching event said, “Today is an especially important day because together with World Vision Ethiopia we are marking the successful completion of the “Ethiopians Fighting Against Child Exploitation (E-FACE)” project and the launching of the follow-on “Engaged, Educated, Empowered, Ethiopian Youth (E4Y)” project.   As President Obama said in 2013, ‘Our fight against human trafficking is one of the great human rights causes of our time, and the United States will continue to lead it.’”

For more information, please contact: Meron Aberra, at meron_aberra@wvi.org, 0911-221060

End Note: World Vision began its first intervention in Ethiopia in 1971 with relief and opened the Ethiopia office in 1975. During the 1984/85 drought, World Vision Ethiopia participated in a massive relief operation that saved the lives of millions of people. After an intensive relief and rehabilitation programme, the organization developed a new integrated development approach the objective of which was to ensure empowerment and transformational change.  This approach led to the establishment of Area Development Programs (ADPs) in the 1990s that is still being implemented and continuously strengthened today.