The Mekedonia Project in Addis Abeba

The private aid project "Mekedonia" was given a piece of land by the government on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Starting with 15 marginalized people from the streets of the big city, 3000 needy people now find help here. The enthusiastic manager Behailu Tilanon showed me around in the projectplace an ecouraged me to take pictures and show them to the world. I realize that, how Behailu sais, "African Solutions for African Problems" is the best long-term approach to help these needy people. These people seeking help are extraordinarily grateful for the accommodation and support.

The private aid project "Mekedonia" was given a piece of land by the government on the outskirts of Addis Abeba. Starting with 15 marginalized people from the streets of the big city, 3000 needy people now find help here. The enthusiastic manager Behailu Tilanon showed me around in the project place and encouraged me to take pictures and show them to the world. I realize that, how Behailu says, "African Solutions for African Problems" is the best long-term approach to help these needy people.

At first glance, it may seem a little stunning to European eyes when several hundred mentally ill and medically needy people are housed bed to bed in a shell of a building and windows that have not yet been delivered are provisionally simply covered with wool blankets. But these people seeking help are extraordinarily grateful for the accommodation and support.

The more happy people I see, the more my perception changes: I see a small group of men dancing around a table with a small music system to Reagge music and they are happy when I was infected by the rhythm.

Gideon, who cannot speak due to his paralysis, lives in a single room with personal care and needs to be looked after all around. His caregiver and now best friend used to live in the alley and thanks to the project he was able to find his way back to a dignified life.