From a life on the streets
to a life of stability

Unemployment: one of the main reasons for homelessness

In Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa life on the street is dangerous for the several tens of thousands of homeless people. Especially women live in constant fear of sexual abuse, harassment and theft.

Most of the homeless were born in rural areas and relocated to the capital, usually in search of opportunities to escape poverty and earn a better income. Also, various socio-economic crises lead to an increased influx of people in recent years. However, most of the newcomers cannot afford housing – urbanisation and rapid population growth have created enormous pressure on the housing market in Addis Ababa. When asked as part of a study on behalf of UNICEF about reasons for living on the streets, 70 per cent of the homeless in Addis Ababa pointed to factors related to a lack of income due to job loss, unemployment or underemployment.

This is where the project between the Wendem Kalid Foundation and Invest for Jobs comes in: More than 100 homeless people, of which are 30 women, will get an employability training. Afterwards, they will be placed in good jobs or start an own business.

Skills development and employment: key aspects in the transition from a life on the streets to a life of stability

Kalid Nasir, an Ethiopian entrepreneur, started his charity foundation in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic by providing 150 homeless people with food, shelter and medical support. The primary goal of the foundation is to help individuals transition from the streets to a life of stability, personal development and self-sufficiency.

Besides housing, key aspects of this transition are skills development and employment. With support of Invest for Jobs an employability training was developed that encompasses elements such as communication skills, problem solving as well as habit development to be ready for a job, e.g. professional and neat appearance, self-discipline to go to work, etc. Additional psychological support is being provided if needed.

After the employability training the beneficiaries have two options: The first one is an on-the-job training in one of the companies of the Wendem Kalid Foundation network based on their preferences and previous work experience. The companies are active in different sectors such as banking, catering, laundry or construction. Once the on-the-job training is completed the trainees will receive a job offer or will be connected with another company of the Wendem Kalid Foundation network for employment.

The second option is a coaching for self-employment where the trainees learn for example how to create a business plan and how to establish market linkages. Also, a workspace and necessary tools (e.g. for sewing) are provided by the foundation to establish an own company.

Both options ensure that the beneficiaries have a stable environment, a decent income, are self-sufficient – and no longer live on the streets of Addis Ababa.

140 former homeless received employability training

As of May 2024, 140 former homeless persons, of which are 30 women, have completed the employability training. Afterwards, they are now either receiving an on-the-job training or a coaching for self-employment.

Additionally, Invest for Jobs supported Wendem Kalid Foundation with capacity building, e.g. on financial management and governance, technology and data management, fundraising and stakeholders’ management, communication, etc. This will help the foundation to continue their important work with the homeless in Addis Ababa.

Wendem Kalid Foundation is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH within the framework of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).