Harrar

Country information

The second Ethiopian SOS Children's Village was built in Harrar in 1979. Harrar is the capital of the province of Harrarghe, about 580 km east of the country's capital of Addis Abeba. There are regularly long periods of drought in this region. Sufficient rainfall only occurs in higher locations, and this is where vegetables and coffee can be cultivated. The SOS Children's Village of Harrar comprises 15 family houses, a Village Director's house, a Community House with a library and a canteen, a Village shop and a clinic. The SOS Kindergarten for 120 children is attended mostly by children of the surrounding area The elder youths are accommodated in Youth Houses as long as they undergo training, attend school or look for a job. The SOS School Harrar was established in 1991 on a site adjacent to the Children's Village. There are ten sections from grade 1 up to 8. The class size of each section is 30 children. Thus the total number of the students attending SOS School is 300. A Medical Center has also been put in operation in order to provide better health care facilities to the population.