Enhancing Child Focused Activities (ECFA) is an Indigenous, nonprofit, non-governmental organization working in Ethiopia’s Oromia region to effectively respond to the protection, rehabilitation, and integration needs of children, and to prevent all forms of violence against children with holistic service delivery and the creation of an informed and enlightened target community
In 2006, ECFA was founded and formally registered with the Federal Ministry of Justice under the name Ethio Child Focused Association. Following the enactment of the Civil Society Organizations and Non-governmental Organizations law in 2009, ECFA underwent re-registration as an Ethiopian Residents Charity Organization, receiving registration number 0308. Concurrently, the organization’s name was changed to Enhancing Child Focused Activities (ECFA). Initially, ECFA’s operations were confined to the city of Adama. However, by 2012, the organization had expanded its reach to four additional towns within the Oromia region: Assela, Bishoftu, Matehara, and Shashemene.
ECFA with the support of Plan International Ethiopia to enhance the child helpline’s service delivery. To achieve this, the helpline has been upgraded with a cutting-edge communication system utilizing Panasonic KX-NS500 infrastructure. This advanced system incorporates a suite of essential features.
In collaboration with Plan International Ethiopia, ECFA successfully implemented the “Better Protection and Participation of Girls and Young Women in Five Towns of Oromia Region” project. This initiative, part of Plan International’s Girls’ Power Program, reached 20 kebeles and 10 secondary schools. Other similar projects and programs have been implemented so far to ensure gender equality and SGBV.
Joint efforts made with the Child Helpline international, has become deployed internet base platform called Aselo. The platform also helps to handle cases online and boost the case management process advanced. This was an addition to the helpline in addition to the contact made by phone calls.
In partnership with UNICEF, the helpline has undergone a major upgrade. This collaboration involved acquiring a premium 10-year package from Ethio-Telecom, incorporating cutting-edge technology to enhance service delivery. Key features include:
- Enhanced Communication: Leveraging Voice over IP (VoIP) for cost-effective and high-quality calls, and SMS with chat functionality for alternative contact.
- Data Management: Cloud-based report storage for secure data analysis, call recording for quality assurance, and a robust case management system for efficient tracking and intervention planning.
- Improved Efficiency: Utilizing Computer-Assisted Operator Interaction for easy client engagement and data entry, and centralized administration for better control and resource management.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Integrating with social media platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp to expand outreach, and ensuring mobile-friendly accessibility for all users.
- Modern Technology: Built upon the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js), this solution offers a flexible and scalable platform.
- In 2024 ECFA, with financial support from NEWA, has launched a project to combat Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Adama and surrounding areas. This project sought to strengthen community response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by implementing a comprehensive strategy.