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LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
ART WORKSHOPS
At The Muddy Pond, our passion for art drives us to recognize the critical role it plays in a child's early development. We strongly believe that artistic activities not only cultivate creativity but also enhance intellectual growth. Through art, we stimulate both sides of the brain, boost memory, attention, and concentration, and even improve performance in subjects like reading, math, and science. Moreover, art introduces children to new vocabulary and concepts, broadening their knowledge and understanding.
Since April 2018, we have been dedicated to providing art workshops for underprivileged children in Ethiopia. By collaborating with orphanages and schools, we offer fun and engaging art activities, supplying all the necessary materials both now and for future endeavours. These workshops specifically aim to break down economic and social barriers, ensuring that disadvantaged children have access to art and its myriad benefits.
In our short time implementing these programs, we have witnessed the positive impact art exposure has on children's creativity and communication skills—particularly those with disabilities or learning difficulties. Encouraged by these outcomes, we are committed to sustaining and expanding our workshops, reaching even more children throughout Ethiopia.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS
At The Muddy Pond, we are deeply concerned about the widespread issue of child labor in Ethiopia. Government statistics reveal that nearly nine million children, aged five to 17, are engaged in work, with 90% of them in the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs reports that approximately 40% of these children began working before the age of six, often enduring an exhausting 30-hour workweek.
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We’re particularly troubled by the plight of child domestic workers in Addis Ababa. NGOs report that 84% of these workers are young girls, many of whom suffer from sexual abuse at the hands of male employers. Over a third of these girls are deprived of an education, forced instead to work grueling 11-hour days, seven days a week. Nearly half receive no monetary compensation, working solely for food and a place to sleep.
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Seeing the urgent need for intervention, we at The Muddy Pond took it upon ourselves to provide support for these young domestic workers. In 2018, we launched our first English language course in Addis Ababa, aiming to empower these children with vital language skills. By offering them the tools to pursue further education or gain better employment, we hope to help them build a future of growth and opportunity, both within Ethiopia and beyond.
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During our initial course, we provided English-Amharic dictionaries, notebooks, and other supplies, creating a safe learning environment with the help of dedicated tutors. Over the course of three months, we taught more than 20 child domestic workers, helping them take a significant first step toward changing their lives.
Inspired by this experience, we’re committed to expanding our program. Our goal is to extend the curriculum from beginner to intermediate levels and reach even more domestic workers in Addis Ababa. We hope to secure a permanent venue, allowing us to offer structured, year-round English courses to many more children who need our help.
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If you would like to join us in this mission, please visit our support page to find ways you can contribute.
FASHION WORKSHOPS
The fashion industry is increasingly looking to Ethiopia as a leading manufacturing hub in Africa, attracting major brands like Gap, J.C. Penney, and H&M. While this development appears promising for Ethiopia's economy, a recent report by Paul Barrett, Deputy Director of the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, reveals a troubling reality behind this growth. Due to the lack of a legally mandated minimum wage in the private sector, Ethiopian garment workers receive extremely low pay. Entry-level workers earn an average of £18 per month—just 40% of the country's per capita income—which is far below what is needed to meet basic living costs, such as food, housing, and transportation.
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The report points out a critical oversight by the Ethiopian government, which reassured Asian suppliers and Western brands that Ethiopian workers would accept these low wages without objection. Many of these workers, drawn from rural areas, have limited experience with industrial work and receive minimal training—only about two weeks, which the report argues is inadequate to develop skilled labour. Anas Tazi, Ethiopian Country Manager for Decathlon, emphasized the importance of long-term development plans to ensure the success of Ethiopia’s emerging fashion industry.
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To support individuals facing these economic hardships, particularly women from disadvantaged backgrounds, we have been conducting workshops since 2018 in fashion design and garment construction. These workshops teach skills such as pattern making, embroidery, and design development, helping participants cultivate artistic talents that can enable them to earn a sustainable income. Our mission is to empower these individuals economically while preserving cultural and traditional art practices for future generations.
Our workshops provide participants with essential supplies like sketchbooks, haberdashery, and equipment. Training is conducted in group settings, supplemented with visual handouts that offer step-by-step guidance on embroidery and garment construction.
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Looking ahead, we plan to introduce workshops focused on fashion business and marketing. These workshops aim to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential tools needed to launch and manage their own fashion ventures. By establishing pathways that connect them with the international market, luxury brands, buyers, and curators, we hope to support the growth of African talent on the global stage. Our vision is to foster collaborations between emerging African designers and the global fashion industry, empowering these artists to achieve financial stability, share their expertise, and gain the recognition they deserve worldwide.