Today, as we come together to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we take a moment to celebrate the inspiring work of our colleagues in Ethiopia at the Nehemiah Autism Centre. 

Autism is often a topic that carries social stigma, which can make individuals and their network hesitant to discuss its challenges or seek support. The Nehemiah Autism Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is changing that for the better. This state-of-the-art centre has a mission to provide holistic care, education and empowerment to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

They also aim to help the wider community understand what ASD is and to foster a more inclusive and understanding attitude towards individuals with ASD. The centre delivers a wide range of services for children aged 3-12 who are on the spectrum and provides parental counselling and training. This can help parents who may not understand the challenges autistic children face to better care for their children, as well as alleviate some of the stress and worry they may feel.

Tackling challenges with the help of MOENCO and Inchcape Africa

 The centre is funded through private donations, corporate grants, and contributions from parents. It maintains financial transparency through annual audits by certified external auditors. But it’s thanks to support from organisations like MOENCO and Inchcape Africa that the centre continues to thrive.  We are proud to have supported the Nehemiah Autism Center financially for the past seven years, contributing through its Responsible Business Plan Programme.  

Our colleagues also support the centre in a variety of different ways, including participating in events and helping to raise donations. New Year is always special in the Ethiopian calendar, and Inchcape Africa had the honour of hosting a special New Year visit from the centre. As part of their summer volunteering program, last year, 24 dedicated volunteers from different schools performed the traditional Ethiopian New Year song, “Abebayehosh,” to raise awareness and one initiative for fundraising for the centre. We have also been involved in several events that have raised the profile of ASD children. In 2022, the highly publicised Autism Awareness Walk saw supporters from various organisations walk from Addisu Gebeya to the Gulele Botanical Garden to raise awareness about autism and support the centre’s mission, and our colleagues were there.

History and Management

Founded in 2011 by parents of children with ASD, the Nehemiah Autism Center has grown in a short time from serving six students to providing support and care for over 60. The centre has plans to double that to enable it to cater for ASD children and adolescents who are still in need of support. The centre is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by a dedicated team of expert clinicians, therapists and consultants, ensuring compliance with government regulations.

Impact and Achievements

The centre’s impact is being felt throughout the Ethiopian ASD community in a positive way. The centre has several notable achievements, including:

• Successfully transitioning 29 autistic children into mainstream schools. This not only helps the ASD children to feel more included but also helps introduce children in mainstream education to the condition and enhances their empathy towards ASD children.
• Providing family counselling to over 300 parents, easing the worry and challenges that they face caring for ASD children.
• Conducting national advocacy campaigns reaching thousands and broadening the acceptance of ASD in the wider community.

Future Collaboration – A Bright Future for Nehemiah Autism Center

 The Nehemiah Autism Center continues to go from strength to strength, especially with the help and support of our organisation.  With a commitment to continue the collaboration with the centre, MOENCO and Inchcape Africa are on track to enhance their support and see this vital service for Autistic children and young adults continue. The goal is to maintain a partnership that will further advocate for and empower autistic children and their families in Africa, giving them a brighter, more inclusive future.

 A special thank you to Francis, Anneliza, and Meron for sharing their insights on this initiative. We also extend our gratitude to all our colleagues for their contributions and active participation in campaigns that support this important cause.

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