CPMT is a project organised by mothers benefitting street children in Ethiopia. The project grew out of a local grassroots initiative and works together with local women and children. Dr. Christiane Hopfer has supported this endeavor and the women from the very beginning. She was also the one calling PfefferminzGreen's attention to what CPMT is doing and is thus our most important contact in situ.
Similar to THEZA, this project is also about reaching sustainable results and offering people help to help themselves.
Like most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia is no exception with regards to the high number of people living with HIV. With a population of approximately 80 million, the infection rate is as high as 8%. The highest occurrence applies to the parent generation of 15 to 24 year olds, the consequence being that 1.2 million children live as orphans. Most of these children do not go to school and are forced to make a living begging or trying to make ends meet by means of manual labor. Many of these children end up on the street and eventually find their only way of survival in crime and/or prostitution.
In 2001 a local woman initiated a self-help project with a group of children and some mothers to change the situation of street children in Tita for the better. Tita is a small city approximately 400 km north of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. This group aims at helping each other, in order to facilitate their living situation together. The starting capital of 3500 Birr (approximately EUR 500) allowed them to build a shower and a small shop. A cafeteria and a bakery followed shortly after. In doing so, the women were able to earn a steady base income, which in turn meanwhile allows them to support 20 women and 85 children.
The Freinsheim Community supports this project by making regular contributions. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of people in need suffering in the communities around Tita. More funds are therefore necessary to expand the project. A youth center was planned, which will primarily serve the purpose of becoming a place of refuge for street children; and a girls club, which will focus on enhanced awareness of HIV/AIDS, sexual education and several other important areas. The aim is to contribute to prevention measures against HIV/AIDS.
