Wide Horizons For Children Names Tsegaye to Lead Program

Dr. Tsegaye Berhe

September 17, 2007 — Wide Horizons For Children, a leading nonprofit adoption and child welfare agency based in Waltham, has appointed Dr. Tsegaye Berhe as director for African Programs, in which he will explore, develop and implement adoption and related humanitarian child welfare services throughout Africa.

Dr. Tsegaye has been overseeing adoption and humanitarian aid work in Ethiopia for Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC) since the program began in 2003.

He established two private transitional homes in Addis Ababa, Horizon House I & II, and has built a sponsorship program for children living with relatives or foster families. Over 400 of Ethiopia's orphans have been adopted by WHFC parents and another 720 children are being sponsored so they may remain within their communities. The agency expects to celebrate its 500th adoption from Ethiopia this winter.

"When we started our Ethiopia Adoption Program in 2003 we couldn't imagine how quickly it would grow and the huge number of children it would serve," said Vicki Peterson, executive director of external affairs at WHFC. "The children we have placed with families all over the U.S. include infants, toddlers, older children, sibling groups and children with special medical needs. Ethiopia is a country where parents are saving lives through adoption. Many have the opportunity to meet birth relatives of the child they are adopting and learn about the child's background, which is unusual in international adoptions. Ethiopians want their children to have a better life."

"Without adoption or sponsorship, Africa's children face a grim future," said Tsegaye. "Being able to give hundreds of Ethiopian children a hopeful future makes me truly happy, but the need extends beyond Ethiopia. I am hopeful we can soon make an impact on the lives of many needy children throughout Africa."

Tsegaye is currently chair of the Network of Adoption Agencies in Ethiopia, a group of governmental departments and private agencies that meet regularly to provide oversight for issues of child welfare. Prior to working with WHFC Dr. Tsegaye had over 30 years of experience in child welfare as the head of Child Care Services for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. During his career he has helped thousands of orphaned children benefit from shelter and education which have enabled them to have a more hopeful future whether they have remained in Ethiopia or have found a loving family through adoption.