Brother Fikere's orphanage and youth center

This young man in the center was left alone when his parents died to AIDS but the lady on the left and her family act as his guardians through the financial support of Fikere's organization. It is reported that 17% of the population have AIDS but they believe that the number is much higher. Most HIV infected people do not report their condition because of the "stigma" of AIDS.

The girl on the left, Lemlem, is being supported by Fikere's charity and therefore she is able to go to school. She had dropped out of school and was working in a nearby brothel (because many truckers come through their village, prostitution is a lucrative business) to feed her family. Lemlem was only 13 when this picture was taken.


This girl was able to learn hairdressing skills and is now able to make her own money thanks to Fikere and company.