About Edget Baandnet
Edget = Growth, Baandnet = Together
Edget Baandnet Children Center (EBCC) is a registered Non Profit, Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Awassa, Ethiopia. "Edget Baandnet" is Amharic and means "Growth Together". EBCC is an orphanage providing young orphans with a home and a family to belong to, schooling, food, clothing and medical service. Furthermore, EBCC supports the leading primary school in Awassa, Edget Baandnet Primary School, and has just terminated the construction of an Arts & Craft shop sponsored by the German Embassy, Addis Ababa.
The Grassroots Organisation EBCC was founded in 2006 by the German couple Gundi Brendes-Bernhardt and Jörn Bernhardt, both living in Awassa since 2005. The two are supported in their work by their children Tim, Lena, Philipp, Mo and many other volunteers from abroad. Local Manager and key person for EBCC in Awassa is the headmistress of Edget Baandnet Primary School Elsabeth Belemo. EBCC works in close cooperation with the SOS Children's Village, who's manager is also a board member of EBCC. Simultaneously to the foundation of the NGO in Ethiopia the welfare organisation Edget Baandnet Children Centre e.V. has been founded in Hamburg, Germany to assure legitimacy and official fundraising for the project. President of the welfare organisation in Hamburg is Volker Jochimsen.
News
We are very happy to announce that UNICEF has sponsored 2 new classrooms and a library for EBCC beginning from February 2008!
Objectives
The NGO aims at helping disadvantaged children in one of the poorest countries worldwide – helping them to help themselves.
Meals & Basic Supply for the School
The assistance shall in particular cover basic needs (food, access to water supply, medical aid, clothing) for children and adolescents. With this support the foundation to participate in the schools education process will be achieved. The successes of these measures are already visible.
Orphanage
For especially disadvantaged children from the Edget Baandnet Primary School (Mostly orphans who's parents died of HIV/Aids) a private house has been rented for the time being. This ensures the coverage of children after school. A „Mother“ (Educator) takes care of 15 children in the age of 9 – 16 years.
Shop and Training
Primary School children in Ethiopia are often older compared to other countries and attend Primary only up to grade 4 due to economic reasons. Thereafter they have to make their living and work. For these children a school shop will provide a basic training as “Salesperson”. The shop could furthermore raise additional income for the Primary School. Situated along the tourist route, the shop aims at selling arts & craft from the Southern Region.
Additional Support for Children
Students of the education faculty in Awassa offer additional support in various subjects, in particular English and trained professionals make it possible to apply trauma therapy (in conjunction with the University of Konstanz, Germany).