ELiDA - Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association

Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association (ELiDA) was first established by the initiation and reputation of women professional friends from different disciplines (the founding members of the association) who could not get the heart to pass over the timely multi-dimensional psychological, social, socio-economic and health related problems of the needy and front line victims of the community with especial focus on women, children and youths.

The association is legally registered and started operation on November 2008. Following the new charities and societies legislation of Ethiopia, the association fulfilled all the requirements and re-registered as local NGO in December 2009 by the Charities and Societies Agency, with a registration & license certificate number of 1143.

The association is aimed at alleviating unemployment and under employment problems of youths and destitute women through viable income generating activities, feasible micro-financing and income oriented skill, vocational and technical education and training programs. Besides, Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVCs), children with disabilities and other vulnerable children/youths who lack basic needs, are out of school and have difficulty in schooling due to several abject poverty initiated heart rendering problems will also be supported under the association’s integrated development programs in the areas of food and nutrition, education and training, shelter and care, psychosocial support, health care services, legal protection and economic strengthening services as per the standard service delivery guideline of the Government of Ethiopia.

The association has formed organizational structure and other strategies for leadership that includes General Assembly, Board Members and Secretariats. Moreover, the association is a member of Pro-development Network (PDN), a consortium of Ethiopian Resident Charities.