a) Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia situated at the centre of the country. It is also referred to as the diplomatic capital of Africa with headquarters of AU and UN agencies. Though not precise demographic projection yet, the estimated population in the city is about six million of which over 10% are PwDs. The migration of all kinds of physically challenged persons into the capital in search of better living opportunities has caused a large concentration of disability population.The prevalence of unemployment, HIV/AIDS pandemic, street life/homelessness, prostitution alcoholism and the concomitant socio-economic problems could be singled out as the main characteristic features of the poverty situation of the city’s population. The vulnerability of PwDs to such social problems makes them the highest risk segment as their exist little rehabilitation services or programs to alleviate their desperate state of affairs.
b) Shashemane
The other catchment’s area of the proposed action is located at Shashamane town of oromiya region al states to south of Addis Ababa. It is 250KMs away from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The town is situated at crossroads of five zones: Bale, Sidamo, East Showa, Northern and Southern Omo. It is the centre where people coming from different parts of Ethiopia meet and crosses. Shashamane town is surrounded by nearby rural population. The population in the town is estimated to be more than 55,000 and at least 10% of them are PwDs. However, the population of Shashamane and its surroundings is estimated to be greater than 100,000 of which more than 10% constitute disabled persons. Among the many socio-economic problems characterizing Shashamane town; such as unemployment, HIV/AIDS prevalence, street inhabitants, prostitution and alcoholism; the vulnerability of PwDs is of the higher rate lacking any of the opportunities against those social problems. During the visit to the project location, it is found out that the city administration and the populations are very cooperative to engage and facilitate the implementation of the action.
c) Butajra
Butajira, the third catchment’s area of the action, is a small town situated in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). It is 135 KMs away to the southeastern of Addis Ababa. Butajira is the center of Mesekan and Mareko sub districts of Gurage and Silti Zones of the region. The Population of these sub districts including Butajira is estimated to be more than 135,000 organized peasant and urban dwellers associations, of which at least 12% constitute PwDs. The average household size of the district is estimated at 4.5 persons.While the main occupation of urban dwellers are trading activities and working on employment basis in various government and nongovernmental organizations, the main occupation of the rural population is the plough of land to cultivate maize, teff, sorghum, pepper, wheat, Enset (Enset ventricosum), false banana and the like. Be this as it may, their prevails high rate of unemployment and poor health condition. The living condition of the population is below the subsistence level with average per capita income not more than 120 US dollars per annum. The situation is the worst pertaining to PwDs. Besides to their dependent life against their families, disabled women are burdened with bringing up children as a consequence of rapes and unwanted pregnancies. Unfortunately the rural society does not consider persons with disabilities as having equal rights to acquire land which is the main source of income in the rural setting.Henceforth, the setting up of the skill training and rehabilitation program in these catchment’s areas offers to those target groups to promote educational and moral opportunity of real human growth and development; eventually leading to a dignified self sufficiency for themselves, their family, the community and the society at large in which they live; enabling them free from the condition of dependency and underdevelopment.
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