What we do

BTO enriches the lives of the some of the neediest children in the world. This page contains information on what BTO does as an organization.

• How BTO helps the children
• BTO Funded Project: Tadele school project
• Selection of the children
• Government involvement in the program
• The BTO difference
• How can you help?

How BTO helps the children

Below are some examples of what BTO provides to children and the impact it can have on their communities:

Education

• all clothing including school uniforms (an example of this is theTandeme School Project)
• all school fees, school books, school bags etc.
• access to BTO computer learning centre with structured lessons
• access to BTO library with over 2500 books that the children can borrow
• when required, transport to and from school
• after school tutoring every day
• summer school and holiday classes (mainly English and computers)

Immediate Safety

• a safe home with an approved guardian - if required, BTO supply a house or pay part of the rent if they join an existing household
• a structured support network with 24/7 access to social workers
• access to the BTO safe-house/drop-in centre 24/7

Health

• the provision of three meals a day
• all medical and dental costs regardless of the child's personal health challenges
• access to BTO provided individual and group counselling, including child welfare specialists from overseas

Planning for the future

• life skills training
• an amount is set aside for savings for each child each month - it is deposited into an account for them but they do not have access to that account until adulthood
• once a child graduates from high school, they are still supported through university or vocational training but to a lesser degree
• help with job placement

Growing the BTO community

• group training sessions for the guardians so they can better support the children
• BTO events and trips so the children can enjoy the national holidays

BTO Funded Project: Tadele school project

The importance of local partnerships was demonstrated in the recently completed Tadele School project in the Woredas region which is in a rural area of Ethiopia which is severely impacted by malaria and poverty. BTOF was approached by the Samaritan Foundation for the Destitute and Dying (SFDD), a local Not For Profit organisation for assistance to complete the construction of the school buildings begun by members of the community, to furnish them and provide the necessary books and equipment. Once BTOF became involved it was able to raise the necessary funds to complete the project. A grant of $3000 was provided by the Australian African Business Association and the remaining $12,000 came from BTOF.

Twelve classrooms were completed in 2010 using materials provided by funding from BTOF and what little the community could contribute, and labour provided by the local community. A key feature of the community participation was the multi-faith involvement of Ethiopian Orthodox, Christians and Muslims. The teachers for the school are provided by the government education service. Around 2,250 children will now be able to attend the Tadele school.

Selection of the children

Poverty is overwhelming in Ethiopia therefore it is very difficult to select children to be included in the program. We have no bias based on health, education or background but we do have some basic criteria for inclusion :

• All children must be between 8 years and 18 years and within primary education. Once the child leaves school there is a transition program out of the program to enable them to become self supporting.
• The child must be a double orphan
• The child must not be receiving any other support from other service

Government involvement in the program

In order to find the children to be included in the program we work with the local government and community who provide a list of eligible children based on the criteria above. Ideally we look to place the child with a member of their extended family but if this is not possible we will look to identify another suitably approved guardian.

The BTO difference

It is easy to forget the day-to-day reality of these children.  It’s hard to watch, and easy to turn away from.  But there is a way to help.

Beyond the Orphanage cares for destitute and at-risk children regardless of their race, religion, and physical or mental challenges.  In partnership with the local community and government, we place the children in loving, secure homes, with family whenever possible.  Our model is unique in many ways because it focuses on supporting the children within their own communities.  This reduces the disruptions in previously chaotic lives and provides the best chance for the children to thrive.  BTO supports the child financially in whatever way necessary—paying rent, school fees, food, and medical costs.  We bolster their psychological development with regular meetings with social workers, psychologists, and trained educators. 

BTOs innovative program is dedicated to overcoming barriers to education so that the children in our care can reap the enormous benefits an education provides.  Because teacher-student ratios in Ethiopia range from 1:60-1:90, we provide programming that augments classroom education, as well as making sure that all our children are able to attend school. We provide an extensive program, with 24-hour-a-day access to a drop-in centre, library, computer lab, after-school and summer school classes, all designed for each individual child to flourish and reach their individual potential. 

Our programs are focused on individual children, but the effects may be much farther-reaching.  One of the long-term consequences of the AIDS epidemic is the decimation of a productive generation of working adults—the parents of the children we serve.  By helping these children every step of the way along their journey to a productive adulthood, the damages wrought by the AIDS epidemic will be mitigated as these children take their place in a healthier Ethiopia. 

How can you help?

BTO desperately needs your support to fund the above projects and initiatives