Born in 2015 in Ethiopia’s West Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region, Alex’s childhood was disrupted by family separation and economic hardship. Following his parents’ divorce, he remained with his father but experienced neglect and was required to care for livestock rather than attend school. Faced with inadequate food and poor living conditions, Alex eventually left home and made his way to the nearby town of Finote Selam.
As an unaccompanied child experiencing homelessness, Alex survived by fetching water for local businesses and collecting recyclable materials to earn enough to survive. Despite these efforts, he faced ongoing food insecurity and instability. In search of better opportunities, he moved between several towns, including Jiga and Dembecha, where he spent time living on the streets.
In November 2025, the child protection team from Geneva Global Ethiopia, working through the European Union-funded Integrated Humanitarian Operation for Protective Education (I-HOPE) project, identified Alex in Dembecha. The team immediately coordinated with local authorities to ensure his safety, providing emergency support, psychosocial care, and initiating a formal case management process. Through close collaboration with the police, social affairs offices, and community stakeholders, they successfully traced his family and verified connections with his maternal relatives.
Following a supervised reunification process, Alex was safely placed in the care of his biological mother. The reunion brought renewed stability and emotional support to his life, allowing him to reconnect with both his mother and sister in a safe family environment.
Reflecting on the experience, Alex’s mother shared: “I am incredibly grateful for the intervention. Now that my son is home safely, I can finally sleep again.”
Today, Geneva Global Ethiopia continues to monitor Alex’s well-being through regular follow-up visits under the I-HOPE case management system. His journey demonstrates the importance of timely child protection interventions and the power of coordinated support systems to help vulnerable children reconnect with their families and regain a sense of safety, belonging, and hope for the future.