Organization: Human Capital Foundation - The Selamta Family Project

All Photos The Selamta Family Project is a successful model that is creates small families for orphaned children and disenfranchised women who have lost their place in society due to AIDS, poverty and lack of economic opportunity. Each vibrant new family includes a Selmata-trained mother, an auntie (mother's assistant), and eight children who live in a warm home of their own. The Selamta staff provides support, networking and small business training as the family grows and becomes self-sufficient.

Focus Areas:	Children, Education, Poverty, Gender & Equality, Microfinance
Countries Served:	Ethiopia

Description of Services:
The Selamta Family Project provides women and children with family where there was none. The Selamta staff ensures that each new family member receives a yearly medical and psychological evaluation, re-unification with extended family members when possible, enrollment in private school at the appropriate grade level and after school opportunities such as soccer, tutoring and computer training. Parenting, health and small business training are provided for the mothers. Selamta has partnered with local NGOs, hospitals, government agencies, and community leaders, to strengthen the development of each child. Each family is mentored and enjoys a large safety net with the entire population of families that make up the Selamta Family Project.
History:
The Selamta Family Project started as a grassroots effort to do something about the orphan crisis in Ethiopia. Starting with just 3 kids, and lots of volunteer effort stateside, our model has grown to include a caring Ethiopian staff, government appreciation, local partnerships and 120 women and children who are thriving. Our first "constellation' (10 homes and the Center) should be completed by the end of 2009 and we plan to start the 2nd 'Constellation' in the spring of 2010. The Selamta Family Project is a replicable model that has proven to be successful for truly reintegrating children and women back into society as productive citizens.
Accomplishments & Progress:
The Selamta Family Project will complete the first constellation of family homes in 2009! Every child and mother has received all vaccinations, annual health screenings, HIV education, psychological counseling and training classes. 18 out of 85 of our school age children placed #1 in their class at the rigorous private school that they attend. Our oldest child is attending a pre-law junior college! The Selamta soccer team has won tournament play for two years running. The Ethiopian government cited Selamta "the best childcare model" at MOLSA's annual meeting in 2008. Our book, "An Unlikely Family" describing our project has won four awards to date. The film, Into Abyassina, is being shown as an introduction to our early work.