Story summary

Nebiyu* is a 10-year-old boy who was a grade one student in an elementary school in Ethiopia's Amhara region. He sustained a significant injury to his right leg due to corporal punishment by a relative and is undergoing medical treatment. Nebiyu had to drop out of school and spend seven months in the hospital for medical care, and he had three procedures to improve his condition. The hospital where he was being treated was in a different town, far away from his family. Nebiyu lives in a modest house with his mother and sisters; their mother has been sick for a long time and is unable to move from her bed.
During a house visit in their Kebele to identify families eligible for a cash transfer program, Save the Children staff with the Kebele administration discovered Nebiyu. He had returned from his medical treatment and was staying at home at the time. His family did not have enough money to meet his remaining medical expenditures and transportation to the hospital on his scheduled appointment dates. They also lacked the funds to cover daily meal expenses, as prescribed by the doctors for his recovery.

Strong quotes

"I missed playing football with my classmates." Even though I can't play football like I used to, my neighborhood friends come around and we share stories."

"Amharic language was my favorite subject in school, and I always received the highest grade in my class." "When I grow up, I want to be a doctor."

Nebiyu's story in his own words (Quotes)

"My name is Nebiyu*; I am ten years old, and I live with my mother and three older sisters." My mother is sick and spends all of her time in bed.

"My sister is the one who looks after me. She prepares my food and monitors my health check-ups.

"I miss school and my friends very much. I want to be back to school again and continue my class. I hope to return soon as I am now much better than the previous months.

"Save the Children team visits me and my family. They support my sister and provide money for my family; they take me to the hospital with their vehicle. I love them very much."

Additional interviews

Nebiyu's oldest sister Woynishet* is the one who takes care of him and their mother, who is also sick and on the bed. Because their mother is unable to work, Woynishet has been financially supporting the family prior to Nebiyu's injury. "I was working as a waitress at one of the restaurants here, but I can't go out and work now because I have to look after both my brother and mother."

Woynishet says "because of my mother's illness, it was difficult for us to cover Nebiyu's education expenses. The salary I receive from my job can only cover meals for the family, so we decided to send him to our relatives living in another town in the hope that they can assist him continue his education. As Nebiyu attended school while living with them, he was punished by our relative and suffered major injury on his leg. After some time, I was able to learn about the issue, but by the time I arrived, his health had deteriorated and become complicated due to a failure to be carried to the health center on time. I immediately accompanied him to the hospital, where he stayed for seven months for treatment; it was very difficult for me to watch my little brother in such a state."

"Save the Children's assistance has been extremely beneficial to us. Following the first home visit by Save the Children staff, my mother is now receiving cash transfer support, which is assisting us in covering expenses for milk, egg and other nutritious food which are basic for my brother recovery. Save the Children is also funding Nebiyu's medical expenses. Besides, I was able to take him to the hospital for his medical checkups, and he did not miss any of his follow-up appointments.

We couldn't afford the transportation costs to take him to the hospital where Nebiyu is getting treatment, which is a long hour drive away, and it's also difficult to get proper transportation for his condition if it wasn't for Save the Children's help. I will be eternally grateful for your help. My brother is getting better on a regular basis, and I am optimistic he will recover and return to school soon, which is my wish for him.

I am delighted that Save the Children has also included me in the Income Generating Activity (IGA). So far, I have received training in business development and basic financial management. I am ready to start the business and continue to support my family. Running my own firm will allow me to devote more time and money to caring for my mother and brother.

Background / Project information

Save the Children with the funding support from the Germen Federation Foreign Office (GFFO) has been implementing Joint force for Child Protection in Emergency Project in Amhara region since July 2022. The project is being implemented in consortium with Plan International, World vision, SOS, Child Fund and Terre des hommes. Plan International is the consortium lead. The project targets Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities and aims to directly reach 50,700 people in need. So far the project reached 19,129 people including disabled children.

Save the Children and other implementing partners are working to raise awareness through advocacy, protecting and advocating against all forms of discrimination, preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation, ensuring immediate access to appropriate services, and ensuring that long-term solutions in the best interests of the child are aligned with and comply with the government's effort to support the child.