Press Release

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Ethiopian Youth Forum launches its frist voluntary activity. Children Mobilize to Help Other Children Four passionate elementary and high school students mobilized to collect money and clothes for street children. The communities surrounding Abiyot public school, Kids Paradise Elementary School, Hillside Elementary school and School of tomorrow donated enough clothes to fill twenty-eight sacks and 1300 Ethiopian birr. On Saturday November 20, 2004 there will be a lunch program for the street children and all the clothes will be distributed. This initiative was organized by members of the Ethiopian Youth Forum (the former Ethiopian Teenager’s Forum). They initiated this activity based on recommendations and action plans that were developed at the sixth session of the Ethiopian Youth Forum which brought young people together from around Addis Ababa to discuss the Millennium Development Goals. Abdulhamid Bergicho, an organizer in the Ethiopian Youth Forum, received the clothes on Saturday, November 6, 2004 from the schools and students on behalf of the Ethiopian Youth Forum. He noted that the clothes will be given to street children in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian Youth Forum is a voluntary initiative of a group of youth in Ethiopia who want to make a difference for their country. Until now, they have brought children together regularly to openly discuss and debate about issues that affect them. This group mobilizes other youth in their communities to do their part in making the lives of Ethiopian children better and understanding the basic rights and responsibilities that children have. The Ethiopian Youth Forum and the school communities plan to create sustainable support for street children. During the sixth session of and the students promised to do any thing they could to save the lives of the street children. The students stated that they want to show for the street children their care and support. Most of the students that participated on this activity as an organizer are willing to do a lot for the street kids. The schools administration, the kebele administration, Idirs and students facilitates the distribution activity. Young students lead this voluntary activity. Also they will present different dramas, essays and poems based to the problems and situation of street children the audience. In many Addis Ababa high schools and elementary schools like this, are started undertaking by the children and school administrators that participate the sessions organized by the Youth Forum. The Ethiopian Youth Forum will also coordinate the activities of the school clubs and creates networking among young people found in different Addis Ababa schools to work together on fighting the problems that faced young people. The Ethiopian Youth Forum invites all young people and the youth as well as adults to be a part of the voluntary activities and donations. The Ethiopian Youth Forum believes if we all work together to solve the problems that children and our country, Ethiopia, faces, we can create a happy, bright and healthy environment for children, youth, the community and Ethiopia. [Ethiopia Fit For Children] If you want to be the member of the Ethiopian Youth and the voluntary activities please contact: Ethiopian Youth Forum C/O UNICEF- Ethiopia P.O. Box 1169 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia E mail mmzerihun@yahoo.com ethiotf@yahoo.com Phone + 25 11 444408 WE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD