Although the world youth population is growing rapidly, many young people face serious obstacles.  Many of Ethiopia's youth are intelligent, ambitious, curious, motivated and want to gain technical, financial and life skills but are often poorly prepared to identify, seize, and generate employment opportunities for themselves. Those whose energies are not channeled productively represent a tremendous waste of human potential.

 
DOT Ethiopia is collaborating with our community partners to offer ReachUp! training, helping others to explore opportunities to practice new skills, and prepare for a career.  It is DOT Ethiopia's plan to find successful means for using market-driven strategies to help vulnerable and at risk young people gain employment or become successful micro-entrepreneurs.

Elenatane faciliates a session on ICT at 'Hope for Children'

The program strategies, both present and future, include:

• Reaching marginalized and at-risk youth
• Creating linkages between communities and successful local businesses
• Initiating savings clubs among aspiring DOT graduates and Interns
• Identifying opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges
• Reducing insecurity and vulnerability through economic stability
  

 
DOT Ethiopia selected all women Interns for this year's ReachUp! program.  Access to new ICTs is still a distant reality for the vast majority of Ethiopians, especially women.  Ethiopian women often lack opportunities for computer skills training and understanding the relevance of technology to their daily lives, and who also face cultural restrictions on mobility.  DOT Ethiopia hopes that our Interns will inspire and encourage change for these women and their communities.