Heather Hendrickson Meets the Children at Selamta

The Selamta Project has 85 children living in modern homes equipped with electricity, running water and plumbing in a new suburb on the eastern area of Addis Ababa. Upon my arrival at the front gate a small boy with big brown eyes and a very sweet smile welcomed me by shaking my hand and showing me to the kitchen where the mothers and aunties were preparing injera (Ethiopian bread). Later, I learned that the four year old welcoming committee was Tsega probably the most loved child in Addis and the only Selamta child who is HIV positive. Tsega is small for his size due to his health issues but his heart and charisma are enormous. The mothers and aunties knowing of our group’s arrival performed the elaborate coffee ceremony- a traditional welcoming gesture. Coffee is one of Ethiopia’s major exports and a cash crop that provides much needed income for the nation.
After coffee, I trudged down the unpaved roads to greet the children as they finished classes at the Alpha School. Each child, proudly dressed in their burgundy school uniform greeted me with hugs and kissed my checks the appropriate number of times. I could not imagine a California high school or middle school child performing such a gracious greeting in front of their school, let alone in front of their peers. I saw the happy smiles and the kindness the children showed each other. I knew these were wonderful children whose hearts were full of gratitude and love from the care given at the Selamta houses despite the obstacles and hardships they had overcome early in their lives.
Walking back to the main house I held hands with a small boy who recited his ABCs with perfection. The Alpha school offers 8 hours of classes a day and teaches English, French and Amharic the local language that has over 260 letters. The older children walked together and shared the day’s events. Back at the main house a group of boys excited about social studies focusing on the history of Ethiopia sat with a tutor and did their homework. A handful of girls and boys went to the woodworking class set up by a US volunteer and the remainder of the children played hopscotch in the courtyard. I read some stories out loud to some of the older boys who were keen to improve their English speaking skills. Each child was well mannered and courteous not only to me but to all of the volunteers. My heart sang with delight to see an effective program improving the lives of children who recently were living on the streets.
I spent many afternoons with the children hanging out, giving them hugs and sharing their life stories. One of my favorite topics for discussion was: “What would you like to be when you grow up?” Each child had definite goals of being a doctor, an engineer or a teacher. Listening to the children’s aspirations reaffirmed that the Selamta program is working. A child coming from a loving support system and who is receiving a fine education can visualize a future in a successful career. With Ethiopia’s social structure in turmoil and with so many children displaced by the AIDS/HIV epidemic it is vital that new leaders are being groomed for tomorrows leadership and for these leaders to advocate social justice and human rights. Selamta is providing the academic challenges and family support for Ethiopia’s next generation of leaders.