Welcome to FIDO's Site

St. Francis Integrated Development Organization (FIDO) is an indigenous, non-profit making Ethiopian Residen Charitable Organization working with the poor people regardless of their race, class, gender or religion in their struggle against poverty.  FIDO also work for long lasting improvement of the living conditions of the poor and the underprivileged groups of the society through provisions of social and physical development in Addis Ababa and Souther Nations and Nationalitiews People Regional State, Ethiopia.

 ddis Ababa is the capital city of the Federal Government of Ethiopia and has 10 different Sub-Cities under its administration.  Among these, FIDO works in Yeka, Lideta, Kirkose and Kolfe Keranyo Sub-Cities. FIDO has started its development activities in Yeka Sub city in 2002 in two Kebeles, namely Kebele 01/02 and 06/07.  Kebele 01/02 and 06/07 are found in the North Eastern outskirt of Addis Ababa.  Kebeles 01/02 and 06/07 share boundaries with two Kebeles in Addis Ababa and one in the Oromia Regional State.  The neighboring Kebeles in the capital are the Gulele sub-city from the West, and Oromia regional state and the Entoto Hill from the North.

Kebele 01/02 and 06/07 lies along a hill and all the houses in these Kebeles are stretched on a very steep slope from the top to the “Kebena” river.   Kebele is the smallest   administrative unit.

Kebele 01/02 and 06/07 are homes for the Italy, France and German embassies.  These Embassies established their chanceries in these Kebeles since the end of the 19th century.  This is due to proximity to the Imperial palace and the suitability of the area for residence. In those days, the area had also been inhabited by many high government officials of  Emperor Haile Selassie I.  In those days, most of the area was covered with trees and had been home for different types of wild life. 

However, at this particular time, most of the inhabitants of the area are the  children and grand-children of members of the Hailesillassie 1st' Imperial guard. The Imperial guard used to have its own marsh-band and a separate musical section that had produced most of the very popular singers and artists of the time.  As a result, the area these days is a birthplace for well-known artists, sports men, musicians and, journalists of the country who have followed the footsteps of their ancestors.   As artists had been and are among the list income groups in Ethiopia, the area is occupied by people with poor living conditions. 

According to the year 2002 census, Kebele 01/02 and 06/07 had been the home of 41,296 residents (in the year 2006 the total population was estimated to reach 46,479.  This is with the annual growth rate of 3.0 %). 

The economy of the target population is based on subsistence family income.  The majority of the people in these Kebeles are dependent on daily labor.  This includes collecting and selling of firewood, petty trading etc and few people make their living from retirement fund..  From these economic activities people receive less than Birr 200.00 (equivalent to USD 50)  per month.  This is not enough money to support themselves and their dependents.  They are leading a hand-to-mouth living conditions.  Due to high unemployment rate and lack of essential skills, the area is known for its large number of school dropouts who are mainly girls.  Most of these girls are vulnerable to “prostitution” (Commercial sex worke) and the inevitable HIV infection.

Most of the Kebeles' physical infrastructure is in a poor condition.  Thus, there is only one main tarmac road that connect the Kebeles to the rest of the city and there are only two short length tarmacs to connect it with the other neighboring Kebeles.  Most are rough roads (if they are to be called roads at all).  There is no hospital in the Woreda except 2 clinics. There is only 1 high school and 3 elementary schools.

 According to recent socio-economic survey conducted  by our organization, the current problems with some of the of aforementioned  Kebeles are lack of access to decent housing, roads, potable water, Kitchens and latrines.  The problem with most of the physical infrastructure occurred because of the long services it rendered to the community and lack of proper maintenance.