Since 2004, we have worked alongside the Afar community, Afar led organisations and local government to support them in achieving results and outcomes against their identified priority needs. To do this we provide our partners with funding support and capacity sharing skills to support them to put their development ideas into action. 

HOW we work to achieve our mission

Our approach is to work alongside Afar-led and Afar-governed organisations and communities, recognising the knowledge, leadership and strengths already present locally. Our role is to support community priorities through capacity sharing with our Afar parnters, practical and equitable partnerships, and flexible funding, so Afar communities can continue to lead, shape and sustain their own development pathways.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

 A fundamental element to our work are the relationships that we create with our partners and the community. We have been returning to the Afar region almost annually for over 20 years now. Each time we visit we are welcomed with the warmth and generosity of the Afar community, where we are have been given privileged insight into the strength and beauty of the Afar culture and way of being.  These long-standing relationships are built on mutual trust and respect, and they shape how we work alongside Afar-led organisations and communities, creating space for local voices, supporting locally identified priorities, and backing Afar organisations and communities to lead their own solutions and development processes.

TRANSPARENCY & BUDGETS

The use of money is direct and transparent. Our budgets are low and are used directly for project costs, our Afar partner costs, our travel and in country costs while visiting partners and the projects in Ethiopia. No salaries are paid to Barefoot Initiative directors, our work is volunteer based.

 THE FILM, BAREFOOT IN ETHIOPIA

Raised in both Tanzania and Australia, Sieh Mchawala has filmed and directed across the continents.  For his 1 hr ABC documentary Barefoot in Ethiopia, he filmed the three founders of Barefoot initiative during their infancy years back in 2004. The film tells a very real and honest story of how the Barefoot Initiative journey began, the naivety we had then, the many mistakes made, and all the learning that continues to this day. 

To find out more about Sieh and the film click on the link below: