Balaya Children’s and Family Charitable Organization (BCFCO) was founded in 2009 as a community based, not-for-profit that works within Ethiopia. Balaya CFCO defines itself as a secular and inclusive humanitarian organisation that is centered on contributing to indigenous communities in the regional state across the region.
Pictured: Participants of Balaya CFCO
By taking a community-oriented and child-focused approach, Balaya CFCO centers their work around the participation of children, parents and local leaders. They are active in providing educational and health assistance to excluded and vulnerable children. In addition, parents and local leaders are encouraged to be directly involved in the lives of the children so that they can become productive, confident and responsible citizens.
BCFCO works in partnership with Childfund Ethiopia on joint projects with the objective of achieving the three major Child Development outcomes. As recognised in the Core Intent of ChildFund Ethiopia, the core outcomes are healthy and secured infants, educated and confident children, and skilled and involved youth.
Working with Aflatoun
Since January of 2017, Balaya CFCO has been implementing Aflatoun programming s in 6 rural neighborhoods in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, one of Ethiopia’s regional states.
Pictured: Teachers taking part in a Refresher Training
Aflatoun provided a Training of Teachers for targeted schools teachers, club leaders, staff members and respective government stakeholders at the end of 2016. Since its inception, 9 Aflatoun clubs have started on a weekly basis in 2 high schools and 7 second level primary and secondary schools. Together, we have reached 600 students in this academic year alone.
Cross cutting issues have also been addressed in the clubs to educate the school community and their parents in fighting against harmful traditional practices, child abuse, labor exploitation, child marriage and other social and sexual & reproductive health problems in their community.
Pictured: Participants of Balaya CFCO planting trees together
In addition, Aflatoun club members are encouraged to take part in different activities to help encourage personal growth. Activities like talent development programs, sports, school compound cleaning, tree planting, renovating club meeting rooms help encourage community involvement.
The Balaya CFCO also takes a conscious effort to assisting students with specific needs. They offer scholastic material support for adolescents who struggle to remain in school due to lack of support. Students who face challenges academically are assisted to help them meet their goals.
Interested in reading more about the work of our partners? Read more Partners of the Week blog post.
