DEC

Educaids Ethiopia Network is a membership network that established to work towards a more effective and responsive to HIV/AIDS epidemics through the field of education in the country. The network aims at effective HIV prevention through education as well as mitigation of the negative impact of HIV/AIDS on education. Effective linking and mobilization of member organizations is hoped to bring solutions within education as a starting point for tackling the problem of HIV/AIDS. The members of the Network integrated on the basis of a mutually agreed Memorandum of Understanding.

History:
Since 1991, Edukans Foundation (EF) of the Netherlands has been supporting various educational projects in favor of under-privileged children, youth and adults in Ethiopia through local partners. The results of decade long partnership and education development agenda led EF to revitalize the efforts more on stimulating practical knowledge and skills at national level. Hence, DEC is the outcome of the proven field level experiences of EF and its local partners.

Vision:
DEC aspires to see intellectually capable, functionally literate, self reliant and self confident empowered society.

Mission:
To promote a wide range of basic education and vocational skills training program to disadvantage children, youth and adult by way of enabling local practitioners in Ethiopia through financial and technical support.

Objective:
The major objective of Educaids Ethiopia Network is to facilitate new ways of disseminating information, supporting linkages between different groups with a view to exchange of experiences aiming at effective HIV prevention through education as well as mitigation of the negative impact of HIV/AIDS on education.

Why working in the education sector?
HIV/AIDS is recognized as a world wide problem that strikes hardest in the poorest countries. The education sector has a central role in the multi sectoral response to HIV/AIDS. The education of children and youth merits highest priority in a world afflicted by HIV/AIDS. It merits priority because a good basic education itself ranks among the most effective - and cost-effective - means of HIV/AIDS prevention. School children are a “Window of Hope” into the future. Education is an effective “Social Vaccine” against HIV/AIDS. The risk of HIV/AIDS infection is more than halved for young people, particularly girls, who stay in school and complete a basic education. This is why Educaids Ethiopia network is interested to work in education in prevention of HIV/AIDS.