JECCDO (Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organisation) provides a holistic support programme not only to ensure its beneficiaries have food, shelter and education in the short-term, but also, a path to improving self-sufficiency in the long-term.

Food and Education

Community members are responsible for identifying orphans and appropriate guardians, single parents and low income families.  Parents and guardians are given an allowance of 100 Birr per month,  70% of which is used to pay for the children's food and education. The remaining 30% is deposited into a bank account for future use by the child, to pay for further education or to start a business with. 

Local children in Dire Dawa

Self-sustainability

JECCDO has recognised the need to support the children's parents and guardians.  Where these adults can provide a feasible business plan, they are given start-up capital to establish their own business.  This loan must be paid back and the funds are then used to support another recipient.  Common businesses established include cooking and selling breakfast to locals, brick making and animal fattening.

Community Development

In addition to providing loans and allowances, JECCDO educates community members on family planning, sexual health, environmental sanitation, waste management and disaster prevention.  Water points and latrines are built with the assistance of the community members and are maintained solely by the locals.

A new well

JECCDO also provides tutoring for those studying in formal education. This has proven to be very successful, as demonstrated by the number of students accepted to tertiary education from one village, which has increased from 2 to 28 in just a year. 

With your help we can continue getting poor students into colleges and universities which will improve the living situation for whole communities.