“Empowering children is crucial for the sustainability of a nation.”

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1 June 2025

As the CEO of an organisation called the Jerusalem Children & Community Development Organisation (JeCCDO), it comes as no surprise that Mulugeta Gebru is passionate about helping children. In this interview find out what challenges he faces in this field of work and what has inspired him throughout his 30 years.

1. How long have you worked in JeCCDO and what is your main role?

I have dedicated over 30 years of my career to JeCCDO, where I have had the privilege of serving in key leadership roles, including Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. Throughout my tenure, I have played a significant role in transforming the organization from a small-scale initiative into one of the most robust and influential civil society organizations in Ethiopia.

Under my leadership, JeCCDO has expanded its geographic coverage, allowing us to reach diverse communities across the country. We have significantly increased the volume of grants received by working with various funding agencies in different countries, which has enabled us to enhance our programs and interventions. Our focus has been on community-driven and child-focused development strategies, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.

My leadership has been instrumental in institutionalizing our program interventions, which has led to the implementation of result-oriented initiatives that bring about meaningful changes in the lives of targeted community groups. Through these efforts, we have not only improved access to essential services but also empowered local communities to drive their own development, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability.

My commitment to fostering positive change has been unwavering, and I am proud to have contributed to making JeCCDO one of the strong civil society organizations in Ethiopia.

2. What inspired you personally to get involved in this kind of work?

My childhood vision has profoundly motivated me to engage in initiatives focused on helping others. From my young ages, I had a deep love for children, and it became my passion to support those in need. I found immense joy in lending a helping hand to children who required assistance, whether through mentoring, tutoring, or simply providing companionship. This passion led me to become actively involved in a child-focused organization, where I could channel my compassion and commitment into meaningful action. I believe that every child deserves a nurturing environment and the opportunity to thrive, and I am inspired to make a difference in their lives.

3. What is the biggest challenge you faced working at JeCCDO (what are some of the main challenges facing the people you work with?)

The organization was established due to the 1984/85 natural disaster and manmade problems in the Northern part of our country. This foundational period was marked by a commitment to orphan children and addressing their needs. We had six orphanages in different part of the country among which one of them was in Medefera in Eritrea. However, there was an urgent push from various stakeholders to relocate children from the Medefera area to Ethiopia due to the separation of Eritrea as a country , raising a host of complex challenges.

As this situation unfolded, I found myself in a highly stressful and demanding role. On one hand, I faced the logistical challenges of orchestrating the safe movement of children from Eritrea to Ethiopia. This involved not only determining the most suitable means of transportation but also identifying appropriate placement for the children upon their arrival. Additionally, I needed to consider how to meet their basic needs—such as food, shelter, and medical care—ensuring that their transition was as smooth and safe as possible. The responsibility weighed heavily on me, as I navigated the emotional and practical aspects of this critical mission.

The primary challenges faced by the people  I work with encompass a range of significant issues. These include:

• Poverty: Many individuals struggle to meet their basic needs due to a lack of financial resources, which hampers their ability to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and adequate nutrition.
• Displacement: Numerous people are displaced from their homes as a result of natural disasters such as drought and manmade crises, including conflict and political instability. This displacement often leads to a loss of community, instability, and additional economic challenges.
• Illiteracy: A high rate of illiteracy among the population limits their opportunities especially women for their personal and professional development. This barrier prevents many from gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their circumstances.
• Limited Understanding of Development Approaches: There is often a low level of understanding regarding effective development strategies. Many individuals are not aware of the resources and methods available to them that could facilitate positive change in their lives.
• High Need, Low Response: The communities I engage with frequently experience a significant gap between their needs and the responses from support systems. Despite urgent requirements for assistance, the resources and interventions provided are often insufficient to address the scale of the challenges they face.
• These intertwined issues create a complex environment that requires a multifaceted approach to support and empower those affected.
  
  

4. Do you keep in contact with children that have come through the homes, and have gone on to become adults?

Yes, I absolutely do. I take immense pride in the workers of our organization. Over the years, I have observed many children who attended our childcare center grow and develop both mentally and emotionally. It is truly inspiring to see them thrive and move on to join various local and international organizations, where they have taken on significant roles and responsibilities.

For instance, I am in close contact with several former children grown up in our child care center who have now become investors, higher level officials, engineers and  other professional working in different organizations including  Ethiopian Airlines, and it fills me with a deep sense of pride to know that the organization I served played a vital role for the success of these children. We provided them with the support and guidance they needed to reach their full potential.

Moreover, during my travels abroad, I have had the pleasure of meeting some of these remarkable individuals again, now contributing their talents to like-minded organizations. Witnessing their success and progress reaffirms my belief in the impact of our work and the positive influence we can have on the lives of these children. 

5. What is your greatest achievement to working at JeCCDO?

While working at JeCCDO, I have made several significant contributions that have positively impacted both the organization and the communities it serves. One of my key achievements has been transforming the child care centers/orphanages through various developmental phases, evolving it into a model for community-based child care and support approaches. This shift has not only enhanced the quality of care provided to children but has also fostered greater community involvement, ownership and sustainability.

Additionally, I successfully integrated the child care center with broader development program activities, ensuring that our initiatives are holistic and address the multifaceted needs of the families we serve. Over the past four decades, I have played a vital role in sustaining JeCCDO as a resilient organization, securing essential local resources, including land and office spaces, that have greatly contributed to our operational stability.

Furthermore, I initiated the implementation of the Women Self-Help Group (SHG)    approach for the first time in Ethiopia, leading to the replication of the approach by different organizations and establishment of thousands of SHGs across various communities in the country. This initiative has empowered individuals, particularly women, by fostering economic independence and social cohesion.

I also championed the implementation of a social enterprise approach within JeCCDO and our partner CBOs, which has allowed us to diversify our funding sources and enhance our sustainability. Under my leadership, the operations of the organizations have been guided by strategic management plans that inform our organizational growth and ensure that we remain aligned with our mission and goals.

Through these efforts, I have not only contributed to the success of JeCCDO but have also made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and families in our communities

The social accountability project and the social accountability committee that we have established is used as a model throughout the country in having dealing with government to improve social service and empower communities.  

6. What long terms have you seen in communities served by JeCCDO?

We have successfully trained community members to develop skill and provided them with small financial support that sustain their initiatives. However, I have observed that there are numerous capacities and resources within the community served by JeCCDO that remain untapped. The community has actively engaged in various innovative business activities, including the establishment of a grain bank, which has proven to be a vital service for local communities.

In addition to their business ventures, these community members have taken significant steps to support vulnerable populations, including children and women. They are increasingly playing a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of children and women, becoming essential advocates for social justice in their communities. Their efforts have fostered a strong connection between local government and development actors, facilitating collaboration and ensuring that the voices of the community members are heard in decision-making processes.

Moreover, they are actively involved in promoting peace and upholding the rights of citizens in their localities. Through various initiatives and outreach programs, they work to educate community members about their rights and responsibilities, thereby empowering individuals to take an active role in civic life. This multifaceted engagement not only enhances local governance but also contributes to the overall well-being and resilience of the community.

7. What are JeCCDO’s priorities for the next 5 years?

The next five years  priorities of JeCCDO  focused on enhancing its overall impact and sustainability.

• Strengthening Social Enterprise Initiatives: JeCCDO aims to bolster its social enterprise programs, which are designed to generate revenue while addressing social issues. By developing these initiatives, the organization seeks to create sustainable livelihoods for communities and ensure that social goals align with economic viability.
• Maximizing Utilization of Immovable Resources: Another priority is to fully utilize its immovable resources, such as land and buildings. This may involve optimizing the use of land for agricultural projects, community development, or environmental conservation, thereby maximizing both economic returns and community benefits.
• Digitalizing Program Interventions: JeCCDO plans to implement digital solutions in its program interventions. This includes adopting technologies that enhance efficiency, improve data collection and analysis, and facilitate better communication with stakeholders. Digitalization will also help in monitoring the effectiveness of programs in real-time.
• Scale up our reach to different parts of the country to address community needs and empower more women to utilize their potential as well as skill development for youth to create employment.
• Transforming community structures into grassroots development actors: JeCCDO is committed to empowering its partner CBOs by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to harness their full potential. This support will include training, capacity-building workshops, and access to funding opportunities, enabling these organizations to thrive and better serve their communities.
• Institutionalizing Initiatives and Enhancing Resource Mobilization: The organization aims to institutionalize its successful initiatives, ensuring that they are embedded within the community structures for long-term sustainability. Additionally, JeCCDO is focused on enhancing its resource mobilization capacity. This includes developing strategies to attract funding, establish reserve funds, and build partnerships that will secure financial stability for future projects.
  
  

8. What are your hopes for the future?

My primary hope is to see JeCCDO fully utilize its potential for social enterprising by effectively investing on its existing resources, particularly the land, to promote sustainable development.

I envision JeCCDO becoming a model social enterprise within the country. By setting a strong example in sustainable practices and community engagement, it can inspire other organizations to adopt similar development initiatives. This leadership role could significantly support and amplify JeCCDO's efforts in driving positive social change and fostering economic growth.

9. If you could tell our supporters one thing, what would it be?

I have several important points to discuss, but I want to emphasize on a few key ideas . Empowering children is crucial for the sustainability of a nation. When we invest in the education, well-being, and opportunities for young people, we are not only nurturing future leaders but also fostering a society that is resilient and capable of addressing the challenges of tomorrow. By providing children with the skills and knowledge they need, we lay the foundation for a more sustainable future, ensuring that they can contribute positively to their communities and the world at large.

In order this to happen it worth to work with community structures and for that matter Ethiopiaid’s support has changed life of thousands of people and strengthen community structure that insure sustainability.