Djibouti – Dar Salam (planning phase)

Provide underage girls and children

Background

Djibouti is a country in the eastern Horn of Africa surrounded by countries in conflict: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen and Somalia. It has six military bases which provide security between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Djibouti is the only stable country in the region and offers refugees from neighbouring countries a place of refuge and peace. As a result, many children flee from violence, war, hunger and extreme poverty, believing they will find safety and a better financial situation in Djibouti. After arriving in the country, they discover a different reality. Some return to their home country, others try to keep their heads above water with small jobs. But most find themselves on the streets of Djibouti and exposed to prostitution.

Caritas is on the ground and supports children, but this is only a drop in the ocean. There is a lack of shelters for the homeless and the number of children living on the streets in Djibouti has increased massively in recent years.

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Vision

To provide underage girls and children with a temporary and safe home, access to food, health care, education and other support. They should be able to complete an education in order to be able to earn their own living. The children have access to school so that they can start life with a healthy foundation.

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Project

The project aims to welcome and house underage mothers with their children in a warm home, promote their self-determination and provide rehabilitation when they have traumatic experiences. They should be able to find physical security and hope, receive psychological, medical and vocational guidance.

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As for the running of the home, the women will organise the housework and cooking on their own. Medical health care and emergency care will be provided for by the project leaders. A teacher or social worker will be employed to provide professional guidance to the women.

Our strategy includes working with various organisations in Djibouti City to promote social reintegration. This is to help find suitable placements for school and education for the children and mothers.

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Christian Hartmann-Fässler

President

"I believe that individualized development projects, which respond to the needs of individuals or small groups, serve those in need better in the long term and ultimately provide a better livelihood for all."