Aerie Africa, a US non-profit, is the American side of a partnership that operates the CCC Children's Home for Orphaned and vulnerable children in Wolaita Soddo, Ethiopia. Aerie Africa, founded in 2002, is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing a forever family and care for orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia. Through sponsorship and other fund-raising activities, Aerie
Africa provides the funds necessary to operate a program that provides a permanent family and caring support for 68 children and young adults. While Aerie Africa provides funds, oversight, and visionary guidance, CCC is the implementing partner for the project on the ground. In partnership with CCC, Aerie Africa collaborates with the zone-level Department and regional-level Bureau of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia, as well as with other charities and organizations working in OVC care throughout southern Ethiopia. Once a child is referred to the Aerie Africa / CCC project, we work with the local government agencies to explore all possibilities for care, such as placing the child with extended family, community-based care, local adoption, or local foster-care programs. It is our belief that institutional care should be only considered when the child has no other options for care. Unfortunately, the capacity for these other care options in Wolaita, Ethiopia is currently very limited. Aerie Africa and CCC are working to promote these options further, but in the meantime, Aerie Africa and CCC are committed to providing a safe, loving and nurturing home for these children who otherwise would not have a home or family.
