The Ursula Zindel-Hilti Foundation finances the ABCD family strengthening programme for sustainable development in the Bushulo region.
In Bushulo, a subcity of Hawassa, the inhabitants live from fishing, agriculture and stock farming. About 70% of the households live on less than 2 USD per day. Children suffer the most from this bitter poverty. Under these living conditions, they are very susceptible to various diseases. Lack of education and unemployment draw them into the poverty trap.
The aim of the ABCD project is to ensure that the children in Bushulo grow up protected and well cared for. To achieve this, families are strengthened and the community is empowered to support vulnerable families and their children. The project directly supports 525 families, their 1,550 vulnerable children and 150 youth. Indirect beneficiaries are another 6,400 people respectively all other families living in the region.
In order to sustainably reduce child neglect, four sub-projects are implemented in a 360-degree approach that complement each other. These relate to childcare skills and protection, income generation for parents, education and health for the whole family.