History and Evaluation: Siddartha Development Ethiopia (SDE) is a Foreign Charity, non-religious, not for profit organization supported by Siddartha Belgium with a rich experience for over 37 years in Europe. It promotes the activities and organizes fund-raising in Belgium and the rest of Europe. On the basis of such experience and in partnership with 5 young motivated Ethiopians the organization expanded its operation to initiate a program in Ethiopia in August 1999.

 

Siddartha Development Ethiopia has been recognized in Ethiopia by the Ministry of Justice on May 16, 2001, and has re-registered by the Charities and Societies Agency (CSA) on Feb 2010 in accordance with the new proclamation no. 621/2009. Since its establishment, SDE envisaged providing the best of itself for unprivileged members of the society in a conviction that they can be self-dependant. To realize its goal, the organization implements various projects through a fund mobilized by SDE VZW from a great circle of people, professionals, and volunteers.

 

our projects are spotlighting on improving the socio-economic conditions of street children, homeless people, women-headed families, Children living with HIV/AIDS (OVC), elderly people, vulnerable children, adolescent, and youths. The main pillar of SDE is creating a socioeconomic empowerment to the beneficiaries. The organizational strategy in tackling the social problem is primarily focusing on delivering education both on formal and informal methods. The other strategy in creating economic empowerment is made through by delivering various skill training in Income Generating Activities /IGA’S/.

 

By doing so, the organization strives to ensure the economic freedom of its beneficiaries. Education, as the basis for making a paradigm shift towards life, is given an important attention in Siddartha. Continuous life skills educational topics on motivation, positive thinking, team building, self-confidence, conflict and stress management, effective communication, entrepreneurship, self-esteem, family planning, health-related issues, money management, basic business skill, etc, are given to the beneficiaries and project staff members. The organization strives to develop a working culture of treating everyone equally, a culture that helps initiate effective and efficient service, honesty, transparency, and accountability..