Initiated by three horticulture farms, Florensis Ethiopia, Syngenta & Dummen Orange, a Social & Environmental development organization (SAEDO) was established on March 26, 2014 in Koka town based at Koka Negewo Elementary School.
SAEDO established with the goal of poverty reduction by assuring the most marginalized societies and affected environments get access to resources and opportunities for development.
As part of the organization activity an OVC Center (Orphan Vulnerable Children) has been built with a facility of canteen, library, ICT room, clinic and tutorial class costing 1.7 million birr.
The center is fully supported by Florensis owners Mr. Hamer’s family for the memorial of the company operating in the world for more than 75 years.
On the inauguration ceremony Mrs. Rianne Hamer, stated that it’s an honor and glad to see the inauguration of the OVC center. She also added on her speech “we are very proud that as a company Florensis and as a family Herman that we can do something special for the community. We know the vulnerability of them and the value of children I have some of my own and I know it very well that we want to protect them. With this center we can give this children protection, education, attention and a lot of love.”
H.E. Ambassador Mr. Bengt van Loosdrecht (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ethiopia) expressed his appreciation to the farms for standing by the community and thanked the community for their effort on keeping the farms safe during the very difficult times in 2015 and a few months ago is an example how they can live together peacefully.
Florensis Ethiopia plc, Dummen Orange, Syngenta, Hortus supply international (HIS), Almeta Implex plc, Mr. Ronald Family, Mr. Erik Family and other individuals have been the main sponsors of the OVC center, through its Foundation “Social & Environmental development organization (SAEDO)”.
Thanks to this initiative promoted by Herman Harmer family and the support of the company’s business partners, 133 children in the OVC center have been enjoying a good quality of life in terms of daily meals, housing, medication, clothing and education.
The center works on empowering OVC and women economically to insure child development. On the children’s and family women empowerment project legalized by the name of SAEDO’s Children family cooperation group engaged in supplying Ingera to Florensis Ethiopia every day and working on to widen their market.
Ms. Chaltu Bobe, a mother of 2 who lives with her brother and sisters is one of the beneficiaries from the houses construction program. Chaltu said she is very grateful for the support that now her family is living a moderate life. Over 14 OVC families received a newly built house from the center.
The occasion was held on October 1, 2018 attended by the regional Administration District representatives, care giving families and other invited guests.