China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) representatives  visited project sites in South Omo Zone for the “Smiling Children Project.” During their visit, the team conducted on-site monitoring of the project, which is financed by CFRD and implemented by HRF. Since 2021, the project has provided school meals and educational support materials to pastoral communities in the area. The team assessed project progress through observation and discussions with beneficiary students’ parents, school communities, and government partners.

Furthermore, the team visited the Women Economic Empowerment projects of the HRF, where destitute pastoral women engaged in income-generating activities by organized in an agricultural enterprise.

Following their field observation, the  delegation comprising officials from the HRF and CFRD convened at HRF’s Head Office in Addis Ababa. Chaired by Her Excellency Roman Tesfaye, the Former First Lady of Ethiopia & CEO of HRF, the session included Mr. Fekadu Tesfaye, Chief of Youth & Women Economic Empowerment Programs of HRF, Mrs. Debrework Leulseged, Senior Programs Officer of HRF, Ms. Dai Ling smiling children school feeding coordinator, and Mr. Zheng Shinyue Branding team coordinator from CFRD HQ. Also present were Mr. Daniel Worku, Program manager and Mr. Tsegab Demeke, communication specialist from CFRD Ethiopia Office. Discussions focused on reviewing the progress of the “Smiling Children Project” and planning for future initiatives.

Hailemariam & Roman Foundation

April 2024, Addis Ababa