For a disabled child in Ethiopia, access to education is almost impossible and rejection by your own family is a very real possibility. Recently, it was estimated that there were six million people with disabilities in Ethiopia, representing 7.6% of the population.

Physical disability is very often perceived as a curse from God and the underlying causes are seldom understood. The stigma this creates means many disabled Ethiopian children and adults face an isolated and uncertain future. Some are hidden out of sight by their ashamed families and very few will attend school. In addition, the lack of adequate healthcare in Ethiopia means mobility aids are not widely available. Those who are unable to walk unassisted are left to crawl or drag themselves around on the floor.

Ethiopiaid has been working with Cheshire Services in Addis Ababa since 1998 to provide thousands of disabled children and adults with walking appliances, corrective surgery and physiotherapy. The causes of their disabilities vary; many have suffered from polio, others have lost one or more limbs in land mine explosions and some have been involved in work place or traffic accidents. But there is hope of a brighter future for all of them.

Ethiopiaid is now supporting Cheshire's work in Dire Dawa and Harar, in the east of Ethiopia. Follow the links below to find out more about Cheshire's work in each of these locations.

Addis Ababa

Dire Dawa

Harar

Case Studies