Speaker Kevin Morley - Saltergate Children's Home, Ethiopia

Kevin started the talk by telling us that there has been massive changes in Ethiopia over the last 3 months. The new Prime Minister has made peace with Eritrea after 55 years and both countries leaders have made or will make very soon visits to each other's country.

He then went on to tell us that the concept of the charity had altered quite a bit since he first talked to us 3 years ago. At that time he was just starting and was thinking of opening a larger building to run on the lines of an orphanage. But having thought about the problems that might arise around "safeguarding" he decided to concentrate on children who still had some family connection. He now supports their relative be it a single mother, grandparents or Aunts and Uncles to keep the child. He sends them money to pay their school fees and has also given money to the relatives to start a business so that they become self sufficient. He gave examples of one mother who set up a mobile coffee stall (a neck tray) and another of an Uncle who bought 20 chickens and now has 120 hens producing 90 eggs per day. He is also sending one child on a 3 month hairdressing course for £75 and is paying for another to go to nursing college for 2 years.

Details from their web site show: -

Every year in Ethiopia hundreds of children are abandoned or orphaned. When this happens the prospects are bleak. With no welfare support thousands of children live on the streets and rely on begging to survive. One such child, abandoned at a few days old in a hospital in Addis Ababa, faced an uncertain future until a doctor desperate to find a home for the baby called us – ‘please help’ – and the work of Saltergate Children’s Home began. We called the baby Amanuel and he is now a lively little boy.

SCH, Ethiopia is establishing secure, legally-based homes in Ethiopia where children are sheltered, clothed, fed and have access to medical facilities and a progressive education. Our homes provide a loving, caring environment founded on Christian principles, respect for culture and the strength of the family.

The charity raises funds primarily in the UK and USA and the trustees, who have wide experience in education and business management in England and overseas, ensure that our constitution provides a robust framework for all that we do.

Our close ties with communities and other charities in Ethiopia ensures that a supportive network is in place on the ground. In Addis Ababa we have an Operations Manager and Children’s Home Manager who oversee the work. Communication between the homes in Ethiopia and the trustees is regular and ongoing.

Imagine a life without food, shelter and education. By donating as little as £1 a week you can give a child like Amanuel a bright future. More than that you can be part of their upbringing – their Christmas, birthdays and even progress at school. You will also have a unique opportunity to learn about life in another culture.

A number of organisations support our work including The Rotary Club and the churches of St Paul and St Thomas in Chesterfield. Contributions are also received from generous donors and all the proceeds from the sale of our book go towards providing for our children. The book is called ‘Inside Eritrea – A Volunteer in East Africa’ and is available on Amazon or direct from the charity.

All our donors receive regular updates and photographs of the children they sponsor. They can even telephone and speak to the children and in some cases have actually visited them in Ethiopia. If you are ever in Addis Ababa please drop in!

To donate please see their web site: - Saltergate Childrens Home - Donate