THIS is not a typical picture of Ethiopian orphans.

There are no tears, flies or pleading eyes. There are no tiny, emaciated limbs begging for food or small, tired feet caked in dust and dirt. However the bright smiles of Tesfu and Tigist hide stories no less tragic. They are the forgotten victims of some of the most shocking statistics on earth.

The United Nations describes Africa as "a continent of orphans." HIV and AIDS, malaria and famine have all played their part in a deathly drama which has killed more than 21 million people, including four million children. In Ethiopia alone, more than 11 per cent of all children are orphans.

Tesfu was orphaned at the age of 4 after his parents passed away due to AIDS. Tigist’s tragedy started with the demise of her parents from TB at age 10. This situation is typical of the type of children we support. The problem is a significant one with only 10% of orphans receiving basic care and less than 30% able even to attend school. These children have no one to give them the type of support which is crucial to a child's development - things that children should take for granted such as education, healthcare, shelter, emotional support, love and knowing their future is bright.

Beyond the Orphanage was formed in 2007 by a group of dedicated volunteers who saw first hand in Addis Ababa the plight of Ethiopian orphans. Since then, the team has made it their life's mission to make a difference.

Beyond the orphanage runs a development program for Ethiopian orphans who have no other means of support. The children supported by BTO range in age from ten to eighteen years. The organisation in conjunction with partnerships, their guardians and the community provide a secure family home for the children with an extended family member, such as an aunt, older sibling or grandparent. If there are no living relatives able to care for an orphaned child, BTO provides a carefully chosen guardian. We meet each child's need for food, shelter, clothes, education and healthcare. We also provide psychological support and find places for the children in local schools whilst all the time helping them to reach their maximum potential and become independent adults.

More recently we have also expanded our focus after visiting an extremely poor, malaria affected area in the South of Ethiopia. We are currently raising money to help complete a school for the local area to provide education for the children and to help them help their community.