The town

Debre Berhan is a town located 130km from Addis Ababa. It is 2,750 metres above sea level. The climate can be cold with frost not uncommon. The town has a population of 79,000 inhabitants, 49.6 female and 35-40 percent of the population is under 30 years of age. Debre Berhan is one of the oldest towns in Ethiopia and once was the country's capital. The town is renowned for its rug making and production of Araki - a very potent distilled alcoholic spirit. The local economy is predominantly agricultural.    

Our work in Debre Berhan        

JeCCDO first started working in Debre Berhan in 1986 when it opened a children's home for orphan children. The children's home was closed in 1994 and the residents were placed in the care of extended families. JeCCDO provides financial support to carers and provides them with the opportunity of accessing loans to set up income-generating activities. JeCCDO also teaches people how to grow food through their urban agriculture programme.