How We Help

Over eight million people live a precarious existence in the overcrowded slums of Ethiopia''''s largest cities, and as many as one in three have no access to piped water or decent toilets. Many live in substandard accommodation, with limited opportunities to make a living, and many children, especially girls and orphans, cannot afford to go to school. SMCF works in the slums of five Ethiopian cities. They invest in local community organisations based in the slums that help to improve living conditions by upgrading housing, installing pit latrines and water kiosks. They run community schools for disadvantaged children, and promote urban agriculture so families can sell their produce in local markets. They invest in vocational and business training for local groups of women and young people who want to set up their own businesses. They also engage with local government to ensure that slum-upgrading programmes are responsive to local people''''s needs and aspirations. As a result of this project, tens of thousands of slum dwellers have better living conditions, which reduces the incidence of preventable diseases. Children receive a decent basic education and families have a more secure way of earning a living. Local governments are more accountable to local people, and systems are in place to ensure residents are consulted in slum development programmes.

More information on this project coming soon

Many young people who act as carers for a family member often struggle to cope with their responsibilities. Their duties as young carers can affect their ability to cope at school and see them become isolated from friends and social networks. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers supports young carers through a programme of events and services designed to meet their specific needs. Through recreational, social and arts-based activities, young carers are given the support they need, as well as a welcome break from their caring responsibilities. The physical and emotional health and well-being of young carers is improved as a result of the support they receive from the project.

More than half the women in Tanzania have experienced violence in their lives and for many men and women this violence is culturally acceptable. Oxfam Northern Ireland runs the We Can Campaign, reaching over a million people with the message that violence against women is not acceptable and is a violation of women''s rights under the existing laws and protections of Tanzania. The campaign builds on the experience of Oxfam in South Asia, where the same campaign has effected significant changes in people''s understanding and perceptions of violence and begun to change behaviours. As a result, there is a change in the opinions and actions of everyday people and through them, a change in the institutions in which they work and the services they access, beginning a process by which violence against women can be eradicated.