Eye to Eye
a NATAN partner organization
DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE TRAINING OF PEOPLE IN ETHIOPIA WORKING IN THE FIELD OF AUTISM
Our Mission
The objective of Eye to Eye is to advance the training of people in Ethiopia working in the field of autism. Fulfilling this objective serves the broader goal of providing more comprehensive treatment to greater numbers of children and adults with autism. This, in turn, will improve the quality of life in Ethiopia for people with autism and their families.
Autism in Ethiopia
Since the recognition of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) the vast majority of research studies and intervention methods have been conducted in the West. This partially explains why there is little awareness of autism among the people of Ethiopia. Assuming the percentage is similar to those of western countries (1-2% of the population), in Ethiopia whose population as of 2018 is estimated to be 108 million, there are some 1.6 million cases of ASD. A 2016 study reveals that Ethiopia has only 60 practicing psychiatrists of which only two specialize in working with children. In addition, in the entire country there are only 450 psychiatric nurses, 15 psychologists (none of whom are trained in pediatric mental health), and only three clinical social workers. There are no occupational, speech or physical therapists. As of December 2018, there are just four autism day care centers throughout Ethiopia where only some 200 children are receiving treatment; two are located in the capital, Addis Ababa, and two in smaller cities. All four centers are understaffed resulting in hundreds of children from throughout Ethiopia who are on their waiting lists. In addition, the staffs of these centers lack the professional training to offer the required intervention and treatment to the autistic population and their families.
What We Do
Short-range and long-range planned activities
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1. Training Programs
Five-day training programs for the staff members of the autism centers in Ethiopia. Training is provided by Israeli professionals with expertise in developing tailored programs for local staff and parents, and for community members with the objective of raising awareness and knowledge about autism.
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2. Training and Education
Long-term training and education given by employing a team of Israeli professionals from related disciplines who spend approximately 3 consecutive months at the autism centers in Ethiopia. During the extended stay they further educate, train and supervise local staff. They are part of a long-term Israeli professional support team who serve as ongoing consultants and advisors to the practitioners in Ethiopia.
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3. Practice and Classroom
Experience in Israel, including both practice and classroom for one month, under the guidance of leading Israeli professionals for a representative group of staff from the autism centers in Ethiopia.
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4. Specialization
Adapting the training programs for practical application by families and communities in Ethiopia.
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5. Execution
Developing the founding of the first professional autism training center in Ethiopia.
CONTACT
email: eye2eye@natanrelief.org
DONATE: Click on the button below to donate to Eye to Eye through NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief. Please note “Eye to Eye” on your donation to ensure that 100% of your donation will go directly to Eye to Eye.
Our Staff
Renana Geldman
Renana Geldman holds a B.A. in Social Work and Philosophy from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She initiated the idea and is leading the effort to develop training programs for professionals in the field of autism in Ethiopia. She served for three years as a senior staff member of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Autism Center and its development team. She was the head research assistant there to Prof. Cory Shulman who is studying gender differences in autism diagnosis.
Maxine Gorlicki
Maxine Gorlicki, received her M.A. from San Jose State University in California. She is accredited in Behavior Analysis Specialist in autism with forty years of experience in educating and implementing programs for pupils on the ASD spectrum from early diagnosis through adulthood. She has twenty years of experience in educational staff development. She has served as an educational consultant to the Israeli Ministry of Education in preschools, schools and residential facilities.
Rachamim Meleko
Rachamim Meleko, has an M.A. in Special Education from University of Haifa. For the last ten years he served in a variety of positions in the field of education. For seven years he worked at the ‘Shatil’ organization leading and consulting for a coalition of educational organizations with programs directed towards the Ethiopian community in Israel. He currently serves as the northern district director of Israel’s Ethiopian National Project (ENP). He is also a group moderator in the areas of parenting, child education, relationships primarily for the Ethiopian community in Israel.
Miriam Semuha
Miriam Semuha, holds an M.A. from Haifa University in Special Education. She has forty years of experience as teacher and educational consultant for the Israeli Ministry of Education Israel in the field of autism and ASD in elementary and high schools and for young adults. She has developed and implemented educational programs for classes and individual pupils on the ASD spectrum. She has twenty years of experience training educational staff and as a follow-up classroom consultant.
Nitzan Shimoni
Nitzan Shimoni, holds a B.A. in African Studies and Special Education from Tel-Aviv University. Currently he is a master’s student of Consulting for Special Needs, Tel-Aviv University, a member of Prof. Anat Zait-Zaidmans research team that is studying families of children with special needs and he is a teaching assistant in the School of Education, Tel-Aviv University. He has over ten years of experience working with children with autism and their families. He volunteered for a year in a special needs center in Uganda and took part of training the center’s teaching faculty. He is a founder of "Bait Ba'emek" (A House in the Valley), an assisted living facility for Special Olympics Athletes. He is an older brother to Bar, a marvelous 22 year old with Autism.
Dr. Melkamu Yacob
Dr. Melkamu Yacob, holds a Ph.D. in Education from the Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica. He is the national administrator for dormitory education and youth immigration and the appointee for prevention of discrimination and racism for the Israel Ministry of Education. He develops and leads educational programs as well as leadership and training courses for educational staff. He has published research on parental involvement, family structure and leadership. He has served as the Master of National Ceremonies in Israel for the Ethiopian community. He has also been awarded of The Israel Ministry of Immigration Shield for role model and volunteering. He serves as a board member of the Tebeka organization that advocates for justice and equality for members of Israel’s Ethiopian community.
