Amani is not only top of his class he came third in the country in a recent national student’s competition – one of the top three brightest kids in Ethiopia. “He is an outstanding student” affirms Tsehanesh, a student volunteer who gives up her free time to coach Amani. But without the Brotherhood Orphanage – Amani’s talents would not have had a chance to shine.

Amani and his sister are among 70 children at the Brotherhood Orphanage. Half were found abandoned on the street, half came from the community. All are cared for by the orphanage’s founder, Fikre Assefa. He selects the children from the poorest of the poor, children who in many cases have lost their parents to AIDS, have nothing and live alone.

Global Fund monies, around US$ 25,000 in 2008, pay for the orphans’ keep. “Their first needs are basic necessities, food and shelter,” explains Fikre. “They suffer from discrimination so people do not care about the child, they are afraid of being infected by HIV,” says Fikre who is keenly aware of the vulnerability of children on the street. Some of the children have been abused. The orphanage takes them in and treats them as children again. Fikre spends his time off at weekends talking to the children, teaching them love. Most of the orphans are boys because girls are more often taken in by the extended family so they can help with household chores.

The star of the orphanage is undoubtedly Amani, who is 12 years old. He was found on the street with his sister two years ago. He says he likes it much better now than when he first arrived: “We were living in the temporary house. Our food was not so good but in these two years we got a good dormitory, bed locker, different food and clothes. We get a chance to learn with rich children in the private school. We are first in the class.” The majority of the orphans get top grades even though they are competing with children who have a private tutor in the home and a computer. But as long as the orphans pass the entrance exam, private schools are happy to offer them a place.

“We expect all of our students to go to university to be good citizens of the country.” says Tsehanesh, “We expect doctors, engineers”. With a stable home and access to a good education, that dream has been put within their reach.