U.S. Actress, Jessica Lange visits Save the Children PEPFAR Program in Ethiopia

Over 60 children from Save the Children’s PEPFAR-funded program in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia were on hand to welcome actress and Save the Children Ambassador, Jessica Lange to the community center on Sunday, March 9.

The children, part of the Positive Change – Children, Communities and Care (PC3) program representing communities hard hit by HIV/AIDS gave their own dramatic performance in a short play demonstrating how to integrate orphans and vulnerable children into communities and families. 

Following the drama Ms. Lange presented certificates to children who completed the training on grief counseling and life skills. The training was conducted and facilitated by the local Youth Association, a partner of Save the Children.

The actress also watched a television episode of Tsehai Loves Learning with the children, the 3rd episode in the series "Eat Right and Exercise" that focuses on messages to and for orphans and vulnerable children. The Save the Children produced episode was funded by the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

Discussing the episode, the children told Ms. Lange that the episode raised their awareness about the importance of exercise and eating healthy and nutritious food by acquainting them with all the various food items. 

Finally, Ms. Lange visited the Iddir (community) Youth Association office that supports 467 orphans and vulnerable children in the community with education materials, psychosocial and life skills training, legal support, nutrition, and health care support. 

In the Youth Association office, Ms. Lange met one of the beneficiaries of the program, 14 year old Sintayew, who shared her story.  Sintayew, who lost her father 10 years before and her mother 2 and half years before now lives with one younger and one elder sister and is a grade five student.