CHIROTA PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. “Mother Teresa

The CHIROTA Project beneficiaries are:

·         Elderly homeless people who are on the street corners begging;

·         Elderly poor people who have no family;

·         Elderly persons who are dependent on their struggling family members or their neighbors;

·         Elderly people who are forced to raise their grandchildren due to death of parents.

At present, CHIROTA Project is helping 18 households (25 people) in Gulele, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Project's main focus is elderly women, however, in addition to the 18 elderly women and men, it is assisting  (a) two young men 14 and 40 years old who are bed-ridden. (b) 45 years old young man who is legally blind. (c) A 30 years old young mother with her seven years old daughter who are HIV positive.  

As mentioned in the “Goals and Services” the Beneficiaries are getting the following full assistance:

1.   Two meals a day

2.   Medical assistance

3.   Pocket money for rent, electricity, water, hygienic supplies and cooking gas, etc.

4.   Clothing and bedding (yearly)

5.   Twice a month housekeeping (as required)

6.   Regular visit by the volunteers. 

Moreover, 20 shelters which were in dreadful conditions have been renovated, cleaned and necessary clothing and bedding were provided. The Project has also given wheelchair and bath seat for one of the paralyzed young men.

CHIROTA Project has reached its 9th Year performing its activities according to its objectives as well as its main goals. We wish to inform you that here, we posted only short history of Beneficiaries. The yearly update is available upon request.

Beneficiaries' Short Personal History and Pictures

It is always our aim to preserve the independence and dignity of the elderly people and all we serve. We approach them gently with respect and told them that we will never allow their privacy to be violated.  All pictures are taken with their consent. Therefore, leaving behind their historical background and their unbearable grief they encountered over the years, here below is a short personal history of each beneficiary focusing only on their basic needs, living conditions, health situation and their families. 

1. Ms. M.B.(Joined January 2011) – over 75 years old; She has blood-pressure and sometimes severe headache; to avoid begging, she sits in the street and sells a handful of coal to pay her rent and utility bills; she lives with her husband who is over 80 years old; no family, only their adopted daughter who works as a house-keeper tries to help them.  
Action taken: Her house was repaired, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was repaired, she was given bedding and clothing, and she is a family of two and is getting full assistance. Every year she receives clothing and more as needed.

 

2. Ms. N.S. (Joined January 2012) - over 70 years old. She has no children and no family members. She has headache and believes has kidney problem. She has lived over 30 years in this neighborhood. Her source of income is selling a fire-wood which she collects from the wooded area every day and sells for 5 to 6 Birr (US 30 cents).  

Action taken: Her Kebele house was repaired, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was covered, she was given bedding and clothing. She is getting full assistance. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed.

3. G. W. & His Mother W.M (Joined January 2012) - 18 years old boy, is paralyzed and mentally handicapped.  His mother W.M., who is over 55 year old, works as garbage collector.  She could not get full time job as a maid due to her son's situation. Two of her children are in country-side with family members and one of them who are a daily laborer helps her. 
Action taken: She was living in open rented shelter as a roommate to A.T who was our Beneficiary. We repaired their roofs, ceiling, walls, floors and necessary painting. Also bedding and clothing were given. Since July 2017 she moved to another area due to rent increase.  Now, she lives in Kebele house paying small amount of rent. They are get full assistance. Evey year, they will get clothing and more as needed.
Update:  Since Ms. W. & G. are leaving far away, as of June 2023, they are not taking Injera but they will get more pocket money and the Food Ingredients.

4. Mr. A.S  (Joined January 2013) is over 45 years old.  He was the Project's messenger since 2010. He is legally blind from childhood and has other disabilities. His sister is also blind.  He lives with his parents. The father also is sick in bed. Their mom is selling some local drinks to survive.  We went to his house and talked to his mother.  She is a very hard-working lady with lots of problem.  But she looks hopeful.  

Action taken: A.S. is always willing to work, despite his health condition. Therefore, we decided that he visits the beneficiaries and brings news back to the Administrator and the Volunteers. He was given bedding and clothing. He is getting full Assistance. Every years, he gets clothing and more as needed.

5.  Ms. A.M & Her Son Mr. G (Joined January 2013) - Ms. A.M, over 80 years old ,  is a mother of a disabled son.  Her husband is over 85 years old and has retired earning 20 Birr a month. They live in Government house paying Birr 2.50 rent. There are six family members with them including two little grandchildren. They have a paralyzed 40 years old son due to fall working at construction site. One of their sons also died after suffering from stroke three years ago. Their surviving children are all struggling themselves. Ms. A.M looks very sad and although she is weak, she takes care of her paralyzed son. She told us that her major problem is taking care of his sanitation issues because he is not seating or moving and also, she has difficulty to move him around due to her fragile situation.  Visiting her house, we found the house to be dirty beyond our imagination. We left her and her family history as it is written. 

Action taken:
We decided to give her full assistance and also to do some house repair and to provide her with bedding and clothing. At a later month, we gave her a wheelchair which was donated by one of our Supporters.
Update:  Her younger son, who was helping the family with his daily laborer duties passed away in 2019.  Her son, G, passed away on July 9, 2020 and his father passed away in 2021.  Although she is weak and old, no income, Ms. A.M.  still has dependent grandchildren.  So, it is decided to continue providing her the full assistance, including clothing and more.

6. Ms. Ha. Ki.  (Joined January 2015) – over 80 years old. She is a very weak person, no health problem except some aches and pains due to age.  She lives in Kebele house paying Birr 1.50. She has four children, but all of them are struggling to live.  However, one of them is giving her Birr 100 which is not enough to cover daily meal for a month.

Action taken: It was decided to assist her by providing full assistance, her house was repaired, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was covered. She was given bedding and clothing.

7. As. Si. (Joined January 2016) - She 30 years old young lady who is diagnosed HIV positive since her husband died two years.  She is also diabetics.  Now, she lives with her eight years old daughter who is also HIV positive too. Both of them are taking medication. She used to wash people’s clothes for living but now her hands are bleeding, so she stopped doing it. Although she looks very weak, she expressed her willingness to work if people accept her.  Nobody is helping her now; but last year she was getting wheat powder from an NGO who are not there anymore. She and her daughter live in small Kebele House. She was told to move out by the neighbors including her mother-in-law but thanks to Women’s Association interference, she is allowed to live without payment.  She pays for electricity and water bills. One of her big problems is living in the neighborhood with HIV due to people’s rude attitude towards her and her daughter. Her daughter has also problem in the School. She was out of school last year. She is in another school now. Since she is moving from school to school and being assaulted by her classmates, she is not doing well in school and has nightmare too. She asked if we arrange anything to take out of the area. 
Action taken:  After discussing the issues with professionals, she was advised to stay in her neighborhood and not to be separated from her daughter. It was also decided to give her and her daughter full assistance, every year, she and her daughter gets clothing and more as needed. It was also decided helping her to start some kind of business which fits her situation. We have given advice on the kind of business she is able to do.  In this case, she will be provided with monetary assistance to start the business.  We have further told her that she has to accept her situation and do her best to live in peace with her daughter in the neighborhood.  
Update: Ms. As. and her daughter's problem with the neighbors still exist due to their health situations.  Although we tried but we could not change people mind.

8. Ms. As. Me (Joined January 2016) - She is over 75 years old, has no children; she has pain on her legs and she is very weak; she lives in a tent shelter close to a fence given by a lady.  Although she lived in the area for long time, she was without shelter for a while. She used to work as maid but now it is impossible even to move around.  Thanks to the lady, she is not paying rent. She does not have electricity or water but she gets water from the lady.  She does not have any ID because she is not living in a house with address. She does not have mutual association.  Finally, she told us that living in general is the biggest challenge for her. She expressed that the most important thing she needs are food and bedding. 

Action taken:  It was decided to provide Ms. As. full assistance, as well as necessary bedding and clothing.  Every years, she gets clothing and more as needed. 
Update: As report in 2018, due to her weakness and health problem, also due to some change in her previous dwelling, she was taken far from our area to live with someone that she knows for a long time.  In this regard, since it is far away, it was decided that she comes every other month with someone to take money instead of the Injera and food ingredients. At her request, as of April 2020, in addition to the money, we are giving her one of the most important food ingredients.

9.  Ms. Ay. Bi (Joined January 2016) - She is over 80 years old; she looks very old and weak. She has two sons and three daughters who are daily laborers.  She lives in a very a small Kebele house with her two daughters and their children. One of her daughters have mental problem. Her daughters moved to her house due to lack of houses. Ms. Ay. lived in the neighborhood over 50 years. She pays rent Birr 3.50 Birr, water Birr 5 and electricity Birr 5. She has no income and she is unable to work.  But her kids who are living with her help her from their small income which is not enough for five people.  Ms. Ay. told us she is sick most of the time.  Although she has Kebele ID Card, she has never seen a doctor or go to clinics or hospitals due to lack of money to pay the difference.  She is unable to cook but her daughters are cooking for her.  She has mutual association Edir. She said her life has lots of challenges and she feel she is a burden on her kids. 

Action taken:  It was decided to provide Ms. Ay.Bi. full assistance, including bedding, clothing and repairing her dwellings which is in despair but the repair needs Kebele’s approval. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed.

10. Ms. Wo. Ej. (Joined January 2016) - She is over 75 years old.  She has no children, but she has raised her niece who lives close by her who could not help herself.  Ms. Workie has eye problem and pain on her legs. She lived in the neighborhood over 50 years by selling little spices and vegetables which does not cover her monthly expenses. She lives in a tin covered place that was given to her by the Kebele to use it as a shop. She does pay rent as well as for business license to sell the spices. She pays for water, electricity and for mutual association (Edir). The biggest challenge in her life is the narrow space she lives, paying for it and not having enough to eat. 
Action taken:  It was decided to give Ms. Wo. full assistance as well as bedding and clothing.  We found out that it was impossible to do anything about the size of her dwelling, but she was advised to remove some unnecessary items. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed.

11. Ms. Er. Ke. (Joined January 2016) - She is over 80 years old, lives with her 11 years old orphan granddaughter. She lives selling small quantity spices and vegetables in the street.  She said her families in the countryside send her some grains, so she has enough to eat.  However, her eye problem and other expenses are her main worries.  Last year, Ms. Er. had her right eye operation which has improved a lot.  Although she has Kebele ID Card for medical assistance, at that time it was necessary for one generous lady to pay the difference. Now the doctor has told her that she needs her left eye operation.  The lady who helped her before has retired from her work and it is not possible to help her.  Ms. Er. understands the importance of having the operation. However, due to financial problem, she thinks suspending the operation. The other main problem is her mutual association fees which are increasing continuously and now she is thinking to terminate her membership after many years of payment. 

Action taken: It was decided to provide Ms. Er. with monthly food ingredients, monthly monetary assistance to cover electricity, water, rent, mutual association (Edir) and also, she will get health assistance. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed.

12. Ms. Thu. Des (Joined April 2018) -She is over 68 years old. She has eight children and one of her sons, who was helping the family, passed away two years ago. Her other children are daily laborers who don't have enough for themselves. She lives by preparing and selling Tella (Ethiopian National drink. Since she can bake her own Injera but could not cover her major expenses such as the food ingredients, utility bills and mutual association, 

Action taken: It was decided to provide Ms. Thu with monthly food ingredients, monthly monetary assistance to cover electricity, water, rent, mutual association (Edir) and also, she will get health assistance. As initial gift, she gave her clothing and bedding.  Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed. This is her 2021 photo.

13. Ms. Ter. Wo. (Joined April 2018)  – She is over 70 years old. She has four children and one of them lives with her who is dwarf and has many kinds of sickness.  All her children are daily laborers. We found out that she is a very hardworking individual although she has serious leg problem and backache. She works, in the morning as a street cleaner and in the afternoon, she works as a cook whenever people hire here.  She bakes her own Injera,  

Action taken: It was decided to provide Ms. Ter. with monthly food ingredients, monthly monetary assistance to cover electricity, water, rent, mutual association (Edir) and also, she will get health assistance. As initial gift, she was given clothing according to her preference. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed. This is her 2021 photo.

14. Te. Ale. (Joined January 2017)  - over 45 years old - Ms. Te. is receiving full assistance since July 2018 but she was getting partial assistance from January 2016 until June 2018.  We met with Ms. Te in 2016 while visiting Ms. B.Z., who was one of our Beneficiaries since 2011. At that time, we came to know that Ms. Te. did not have a place to live so a family member brought her to Ms. B.Z. to live with her and help her in cooking as well as cleaning. At that time, we found that Ms. Te has many health issues and also has difficulty moving her legs. Since then until June 2018, we were helping her by paying her medical expenses.

Action taken: At the beginning of July 2018, we decided to give Ms. Te.Ale. full assistance and after evaluating her situation we increased her pocket money. In 2019, she moved far away,  since she could not find a place to live.  So we have advised her to come once a month to take the food ingredients and pocket money. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed.

15. Ms. Fi.D.  (Joined July 2019- Sixty years old, single, lives in her little one room hou9e. We met Ms. Fi,D, in May 2019 when we went to visit her mother, who was over 90 years old. They were living together in their one room little house. All their properties were taken by Dergue over 40 years ago. So, we started helping her mother as of May 2019 and she passed away in July 2019. Since we knew that her daughter, Ms. Fi.D (60 years old), who is working as a maid has nerve problem and glaucoma, we was decided to help her. 

Action taken: It was decided to provide Ms.Fi.D. with monthly monetary assistance to cover some food ingredients, electricity, water, mutual association (EDIR). Also, she will get health assistance. As initial gift, she was given clothing according to her preference. Every year she gets clothing and more as needed.

16.  Ms. As L  (March 2022) - Ms. As is over 60 years old and have health problem. She has lost two of her sons and she has only one daughter who is a daily laborer. She lives in government house and desperately she needs our assistance.

Action taken:  Looking at her situation, we have decided giving her full assistance

17. Ms. Ee Wa (Joined in June 2022) is over 85 years old, who needs our assistance desperately. She had a son who was helping her but he passed away suddenly. We talked to her as well as to her neighbors about her situation and it is very sad. Her dwelling looks good and clean although it is very small.  Talking to her, we found out that she needs full assistance except Injera, which she is provided by someone else.

Action taken: We have decided to give her the food ingredients and pocket money accordingly to our practice.

18. Ms. W,T.  (Joined March 2023) - She is over 75 years old, very weak, has eyesight, hip and legs problem. She is living in Kebele (Government) shelter paying Birr4.50.  She is selling onions just in front of her house supported by her neighbors. She has five daughters and one son. All of them are not self-sufficient. Even more, she has two grandsons, 18 and 17 years old that she raised and living with her now.  Even more, one of her grandsons is mentally sick. Also, one of her daughters who lives with her is mental sick as well as half papalized. Talking about her daughter, Ms. W.T. could not control herself but crying hard. Her situation, in general is very sad. One could not imagine how she is handling the situation.  Due to her financial and her physical conditions, she could not bake Injera. So, she buys one Injera per day by selling onions and she shares it with three of her dependents. Also, her dwelling needs some repair and she needs also clothing as well as bedding. 

Action taken: It was decided to give her full maximum assistances. In addition, to repair her dwelling and to buy some clothes and beddings.

19. Ms. H.M.K. Joined in March 2023 - Ma. H.M.K. is over 70 years old. She is very weak, sick and her eyes are out of size and have some spots. She has eye-sight problem.  She lives in Kebele (Government) house paying Birr 4.50.  She has two daughters and two sons. One of her sons, who is very sick because of diabetics, lives with her.  He does not have work. Only her grandson who is daily laborer helps her but now he disappeared because his uncle always fights with him. She cried hard talking about her grandson missing. In general, it is sad to see these people in these conditions but it is impossible to do everything. 
Action Taken:  it was decided to give Ms. H.M.K. our maximum assistances. In addition, she will be assisted by providing clothing and bedding.  Her dwelling is in livable condition.

20. Ms. H.A.D.G. Joined in March 2023 - While we were going around the area to visit our Beneficiaries. A lady, who was selling cups of coffee, approached us to help her. At that time, we told her we will see her next week.  Since then, we learnt that she has four children from age 4 to 18 and recently, her husband passed away by car accident. He was the only breadwinner. So now, she started boiling and selling coffee on the street, which brings very small income. We went back after few days and talked to her. She openly told us her situations. Furthermore, talking to her neighbors, she really needs help.  However, since we have 20 household families, we cannot give her full assistance. 

Action taken:  We decided to give her the maximum pocket money just to cover her bills, rent and some food ingredient. Also we decided to help her in improving her coffee serving business.

21.  Ms. A. W.  Joined on June 1, 2023 – Ms. A. is over 80 years old and blind.  We heard about her from her neighbor. She does not have children but has raised one girl by baking Injera for others.  Ms. A. was grateful of her neighbors and her daughter. She said without them it is impossible to live.  But they themselves are struggling to support their families with little income from their daily street vending jobs. Ms. A. explained to us openly her situation and we found that she needs full assistance.

Action taken: We decided to provide her with Injera, food ingredients, pocket money and health assistance.  We observed that her dwelling is in livable condition, and she does not need clothing or bedding.  Since it was the Distribution Day, immediately, we gave her the quarterly food ingredients and pocket money. The injera delivery started the next day.   She was very happy and grateful. She showered us with blessing words with tearing eyes.

22.  Mrs. S.F.N. Joined on April 1, 2024 - Mrs. S.F N. is a guard in one of Addis Ababa Public Schools. I met with her at the gate when I went to that school for a meeting.  She looked sad and weak.  Later on, talking to her, I found out that she is married and has one daughter who is 15 years old in 9^th grade in the same school where works. She further told me that her daughter wishes to stop school to help her parents which devastated her. So Mrs. S.F.N. told me that she needs someone to advise her to continue her education and sponsor her. After  the Volunteers visited including the President, we found out that Mrs. S.F.N. and her husband has serious health problem and the rent is too expenses for a small one room dwelling. So, that is why the daughter is wishing to stop schooling to help them.  

Action Taken: we decided to cover the medical expenses of Mrs. S.F.N. and her husband. Regarding their daughter, we found a sponsor who covers all school expenses and also clothing until she completes high school. We gave her good advices and one of our Volunteers will look after her.

The following person has received Onetime Assistance

Ms. E. D.- 67 years old. Her husband was in military, and he is disabled. She lives in Kebele house which is very small. She is working as a baker to three families but not enough for her two of them. She approached us in 2018 and told us that she needs one time assistance to build little kitchen so that she will bake and sell Injera to improve her living conditions. 
Action taken: To fulfill her wishes and observing her willingness to work, after getting Government permission, as one time assistance, we built small kitchen close to her dwelling. Now she is baking and selling, which we have seen changes in her situation.

The following person was assisted only for few months:

      Ms. E.A (Joined March 2022) she is over 50 years old - She is a mental disturbed and needs our assistance desperately.  Action taken: So is receiving full assistance except the pocket money. Fortunately, in September 2022, she got her inheritance and got enough money to help herself. Her cousins are helping her to settle.

Disqualified Beneficiary

Ms. W.D – Joined on 1 January 2013 and Disqualified on 1 February 2014 – Ms. W.D. was over 70 years old. We found her while she was begging around the neighborhood. She told us that she is beginning to get her daily meal and to pay her rent of Birr 3.00. She further told us that she started begging after her son who was helping her died suddenly in 2012. She looked very weak and very sad.  Her tears were running uncontrollably. So, we decided to give her full assistance. But after few months, it was found out that Ms. W.D. continued to beg even though she was provided with enough assistance and she was not willing to stop. Therefore, CHIROTA Project terminated its assistance in February 2014 after one- year assistance.

CHIROTA Project Beneficiaries who passed away

"Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity" Mother Theresa

God bless their souls!!

1.  Ms. Se. Bi. (Joined January 2015 t0 November 14, 2023) - She was Over 88 years old when she passed away. From the beginning she was a very weak person with many health problems. She lived in Kebele house paying Birr 3 per month. She was a resident of Gulele for many years. She was living preparing and selling Ethiopian homemade Drink “Tella” with the help of her granddaughter, which was labor Intensive work.  She had two sons who both passed away. She raised four grandchildren, one girl and two boys. She has a daughter who is married and living far away and who is unable to help her mother due to lack of work and income.  It was decided to provide her with full assistance. Also, she was receiving bedding and clothing every year as necessary, RIP.

2. Ms. Al. T. Joined January 2011 and passed away on August 7, 2022. She was over 90 years old.  Here is her background history:   "We started helping her when her income was 100 Birr (US$5.90) from renting her room; pays utility bills;  has eye-sight and dental issues; lives with her daughter who is a daily laborer and teenage grandson.  Action taken: Since she owns her house, the roof was changed, walls painted, floors and ceiling were covered,  she was given bedding and clothing. She will get full assistance. Update: We met with Ms. Al. always met with her at her house and at the meeting place. Her house was always  clean and well kept. Since her daughter and grandson, who are daily laborers, live with her, they take care of cleaning and cooking for her. She always grateful for everything we were doing for her.  She also repeatedly  said it was a great relief to her family’s worry. As  a yearly gift we always gave her what she need.  However, the last time we saw her in June 2022, she was weak, forgetful and couldn't get up from her bed.  They said she fell down in her compound and hurt her hips. She always treat herself but this time she couldn't. She passed away on August 7, 2022." RIP

3. Ms. T. M. (Joined January 2011 and passed away on June 6, 2022 at the age of 92 RIP) - Here is her background history when we started assisting her  history: "She was over 80 years old; eye-sight problem and headache; income of 80 Birr (US$4.70); pays utility bills; lives in her own house with her two teenage grandsons whose father and mother died.  Action taken: She owns her house, therefore, we were able to change the roofs. As also fixed and painted the walls, covered the floors and ceiling, fixed her window and door, she was given bedding and as well as clothing, She is getting full assistance.  In addition, water supply line was installed for her with additional help from one of our supporters.  Her grandson who is in college was being helping by one of our supporters. Still her great-grand daughter is her dependent.  Every year, she got clothing and more as needed." RIP

4.  Ms. T. W.  (Joined January 2015 and passed away on May 5, 2021 at the age of 92 RIP). Here is her background history: "When she joined CHIROTA Project she was 85 years old lived in the neighborhood since her birth.  Her family was living a comfortable life until the Dergue regime took their properties.  Her husband had passed away.  Since then, she did not have any income so she started preparing local drinks to sell.  She survived the last forty fulfilling her basic needs.  But now she has lost her both eyesight and has stayed home. She has only one daughter, who is trying to survive herself but helps her mom. Although her daughter trying her best to help her, she needs at least to cover some expenses such as utility bills, association fees and for some addition food ingredients. Action taken: It was decided to cover those expenses each month, so she is getting partial assistance. Due to privacy request, her picture is not posted. Every year, she gets clothing and more as needed. Update: Since Ms. T.W. is blind and has lost her hearing completely, her daughter, who struggling herself, took her to live with her in August 2019 and we decided to continue our assistance. When I was in Addis Ababa,  she was back to her house due to her choice to live in her own house. So, we went and visited her and at the same time gave her the yearly gift."  Let her Rest in Peace RIP

5.  Ms. Ab,B (Joined January 2018 and passed away on December 4, 2020 at the age of 75 RIP). Here is her background history: "While she joined the CHIROTA Project, she was 72 years old, living in the neighborhood over 50 years. She lives in in Kebele house paying rent. She has four children and four grandchildren. One of her daughters and three years old grand-daughter lives with her.  Her daughter has no income, she is mentally disturbed. Ms. Aba has back pain and eye problem. The rest of her children also are not even self-sufficient.  She supports herself and her family by small income that she gets by selling some food ingredients on the street. She pays rent, utility bills and also mutual association fees. Her surrounding is near the neighborhood bathroom area, so she gets sick often. Although we cannot solve all her problems, we decided to give her full assistance to improve her living conditions.  As initial gift we gave her bedding and clothing. Every year, she received clothing and more as needed." RIP

6.  Mr. G.T & Ms. A.M (Joined January 2013    Girma passed away on July 9, 2020 at the age of 50 RIP).  Here is his background history: "When we met the family, his mother, Ms. A.M was over 80 years.   Her husband is over 85 years old and has retired from earning 20 Birr a month. They live in Government house paying Birr 2.50 rent. There are six family members with them including two little grandchildren. They have a paralyzed over 40 years old son due to fall working at construction site. One of their sons also died after suffering from stroke three years ago. Their surviving children are all struggling themselves. Ms. A.M looks very sad and although she is weak, she takes care of her paralyzed son. She told us that her major problem is taking care of his sanitation issues because he is not seating or moving and also, she has difficulty to move him around due to her fragile situation.  Visiting her house, we found the house to be dirty beyond our imagination. Action taken at the initial period: They are a family of three people and are getting full assistance, we cleaned the house, the roof was repaired, walls were painted, ceiling and floor were covered,  G.M was given bedding, clothing, wheelchair and bath seat. Girma pased away on July 9, 2020" RIP

7. Ms. As. T. (Joined January 2011 and she passed away on June 23, 2020. Here is her background history: "She was over 91 years old RIP. When we met her, no income; pays rent and utility bills; eye-sight problem and has asthma; she lives with her grandson who is a teenager; her son who was taking care of them was killed five years ago. 
Action taken: Her house was repaired, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was repaired, she was given bedding and clothing and she is getting full assistance.  Update in 2020: For the last 8 years, she was preparing her meal from the assistance she gets from the CHIROTA Project.  But recently she was unable to cook or move around due to her eyesight and other medical problems.  Therefore, since last year, her daughter was coming and cooking for her. However, since her daughter is a daily laborer and also have family, she couldn't come often, In November 2019, she convinced her mother and took her to live with her. Since it is far away, her daughter comes and takes her mother's assistance." RIP

8. Ms. B. Z. (Joined January 2011 and passed away on May 14, 2018 at the age of 87  RIP) - Here is her background history: "She had no income; no children; pays utility bills; lives in her own house with her young niece, who was a daily laborer and night student. Action taken: Her house was repaired, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was repaired, she was given bedding and closing  Until she passed away she was provided CHIROTA Project's full assistance."  RIP

9. Ms. A. T. (Joined in January 2015 and passed away on October 17, 2017 RIP).  Here is her background history: "When we met with her, she was over 75 years old.  Although she had some health issues, she was a very hard-working lady.  She worked in small company earning 10 Birr (50 cents in dollar) a day which did not cover her basic needs.   Her daughter who was helping her passed away seven years ago. Ms. A.T., was a very lonely person who desperately needed assistance. Therefore, it was decided to provide Ms. A.T. full assistance. She was given bedding and clothing. Until she passed away she was given full assistance. Ms. A.T did not have mutual association, so the funeral expenses were covered by CHIROTA Project." RIP

10. Ms. Ab. W and Be. Se. (January Joined 2011 and  passed away on October 15, 2017 RIP). Here is her background history: "When we met with her, she was living with her husband (see below). She was over 85 years old; has osteoporosis and the husband was legally blind; both of them were hard working people but they did not have any income. They had eight children and seven of them died; only one remaining who is jobless and mentally disturbed. Their house was repaired, cleaned, walls painted ceiling and roof were covered and they were given bedding and clothing. Her husband passed away on June 5, 2015 but she was getting full assistance until the date she passed away, October 15, 2017. " RIP

11. Mr. A. K. (Joined 1 January 2011 and passed away on 16 September 2015 RIP. Here is his background history: "When we me him, he 83 years old; he was blind and bed-ridden for the last 12 years; no income; pays rent and utility bills; no relatives and lives alone; his wife who was taking care of him died suddenly seven years ago. Only his neighbors who were struggling themselves help him. He was under-weight due to lack of food. Immediately, we provided him with food, his house was repaired, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was repaired and he was given bedding and clothing assistance. Early in 2014 in addition to his blindness, he had stroke and was paralyzed.  He passed away on 16 September 2015." RIP

12. Ms. M. A. (Joined January 2011 – passed away on 5 July 2015) - Here is her background history: "She was legally blind and had other health problems; no income; lived with her daughter who was a daily laborer and teenage grandson. Therefore, CHIROTA Project provided with full assistance including two meals a day, bedding and clothing; roof repair, wall painted, floors and ceiling were covered. She was over 80 years old when she passed away on July 5, 2015."  RIP

13. Ms. A. W. (Joined 1 January 2011 and passed away on 2 July 2015 RIP). Here is her background history: "When we met her, she is over 85 years old. When we met her, she had no income; she had eye-sight, hearing problems and sometimes stomach ache; she lived in a rented small room next to her son; her son with his little income could not support her as well as his wife and his three children. So we repaired her house, painted, floors and ceiling were covered, roof was repaired and she was given bedding and clothing and yearly gifts. She received full assistance until the last day. RIP

14. Mr. B.S.  Husband of A.W.(Joined 1 January 2011 and passed away on 5 June 2015 RIP).  When we met him and  his wife mentioned above (Ms. A.W), he was 85 years old legally blind and begging in the street by hiding himself.  In earlier years, he was a hardworking individual. We were helping the couples with full assistance including cleaning, health care".  RIP

15. Ms. D. M. (Joined 1 January 2011 and  passed away on November 30, 2012 RIP). Here is her background history: "When we met with her, she was 85 years old.  She was a lonely lady, no children or family member.  She was depending on her neighbors who are helpless themselves.  Therefore,  we repaired her shelter and provided her with full assistant until the last minute of her life." RIP

16. Ms. A.T. (Joined January 2012 and  passed away on August 9, 2012 RIP). Here is her background history: "When we met her, she was over 85 years old.  She did not have any children or family members. She had eye sight problem and was very weak. She lived in the neighborhood over 40 years and someone gave her permission to live in an open shelter.  So we covered the walls, roofs and floors to make her comfortable.  She was also receiving full assistance from CHIROTA Project."  RIP

17. Ms. M.A. (Joined January 2012 – She passed away on 10 March 2012 RIP). Here is her background history: "While we found her, she was in despair although she had three children and grandchildren. Her grand-daughter (you see above) was taking care of her by suspending her school. Her son who was a daily laborer was trying helping them. Ms. M.A had many problems including mental health. She did not recognize even her kids. Ms. M.A was over 85 years old when she passed away on 10 March 2012 receiving full assistance from CHIROTA Project." RIP

The following Beneficiary moved far away from the neighborhood.  Since it is difficult to reach her, the assistance was terminated. 

Ms. B.S. (Joined 2012) - over 75 years old. She had five children. Four died and she has one daughter with two children who was unable to help herself.  She has no other family members in Addis Ababa. She lived two years in this neighborhood as homeless. Action taken: As soon as we found her she was moved to a tin shelter.  She was given bedding. clothing and was receiving full assistance until end of 2017 until she moved far away with her daughter.  She has some mental health problem.  Later on, in 2020, we found out that she suddenly left her daughter two years ago and nobody knows where she is.

Samples of the Shelters where the Elders live

This was the dwelling of Ms. D.M. who passed away in 2012.  You may see her picture above.

This is one of the shelters.