Soleil Matinal

is an orphanage located in Gelan about 30 km from Addis Ababa. The name chosen comes from a coffee produced by the company Paul Dequidt which has funded 60% of the buildings. The first phase began of work in January 2010. This center currently welcomes 196 children ages 2 to 7 years, including 20 with severe disabilities, 55 children with HIV including 20 babies. Many people are involved in the smooth running of their daily lives. The staff is comprised of a responsible medical doctor, Dr Nyiat, 58 baby-sitters, 9 nurses including head nurse Sister Meseret, 12 dressers, 9 maids, and guards... among others.

This place has a large well equipped kitchen where 9 cooks prepare food for the children. The dormitories are spacious and bright with many sinks, showers, and toilets. The whole is built on a plot of 10,000 m². Of the 196 children in the center, 41 of them are in public schools nearby and the smaller ones are taught by 2 teachers and 2 nursery assistants.The pace of the day is like a school day in France (classes, recess, snack ...). There is a library which is managed by Mr. Takel and Ms. Negassi. Mr. Tamitu Nega has been the director since the opening of the orphanage. He manages about 120 people including 15 administrative employees. The construction of administrative offices, a large building for welcoming toddlers and a building to house some 30 babysitters on the site are nearing completion and the official inauguration of the entire premises will be completed in November 2011.

Currently, children with HIV have a situation which differs according to their age and the condition of their illness. Some are monitored daily while others live with other children. Babies who are a few months old may see their positive HIV status become negative in nearly 60% of cases and are monitored in a specialized room where they receive care and appropriate nutrition. Children and adolescents with severe disabilities are, for now, housed and supported in one part of the premises built for HIV-positive babies. They are waiting to be accommodated in spacious and functional accommodations that will be built for them. But this later project, consisting of constructing and developing a building about 650 m2 for the welcoming and care of these children, has not yet been started due to lack of funding. It can only be realized when the $260,000 required for the construction of the building and its furnishings have been aquired.