Meqoamia

From Seychelles to Addis Ababa: MCDO’s Commitment to Pan‑Africanism and Youth Drug Prevention
2025-06-02 - 2026-06-06 | victoria seychelles
Introduction
In June 2025, two MCDO representatives – Mr. Elias Kalayu and Ms. Sara Deguma – took part in the African Union’s “Training of Master Trainers for University‑Based Youth Engagement in Drug Prevention” held in Seychelles. This participation marks a major milestone for our organization.
Alignment with MCDO’s Vision and Mission
MCDO’s vision is “to foster a healthy, drug‑free generation in Ethiopia and Africa.” Our mission is to scale up evidence‑based prevention education within universities and communities. The AU training perfectly aligns with both our vision and mission.
The 2025 Training as a Major Achievement
We consider the 2025 Master Trainers’ Training a major success for MCDO and for Ethiopian youth. Through this training we:

Exchanged knowledge and experience with representatives from 25 African countries.

Learned modern, youth‑engagement models (peer‑led, evidence‑based).

Established working relationships with Colombo Plan DAP and US INL.

Contribution of Elias Kalayu and Sara Deguma
The knowledge and skills our two representatives gained are a tremendous asset:

Elias Kalayu brings over 15 years of experience with UBAACM and successfully integrated that experience into the continental framework.

Sara Deguma ’s expertise in youth outreach and training design proved invaluable.

From a Pan‑African Perspective
Pan‑Africanism is the foundational philosophy of the African Union. MCDO supports this mission by connecting Ethiopian youth with their peers across Africa. This training is an excellent example of continental unity and collaborative problem‑solving.
Future Plans
To put the learned knowledge into practice:

Within the next six months, we will begin training master trainers in at least five Ethiopian universities.

We will align the UBAACM program with AU standards.

We will work with other African organizations to create a continental youth network for drug prevention.

Acknowledgements
We extend our deepest gratitude to the African Union (AU), the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (DAP), and the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) for their support.
MCDO believes that this participation will make a significant contribution to a better tomorrow – not only in Ethiopia but across Africa and the world.
#MCDO #PanAfricanism #YouthEmpowerment #DrugPrevention #AU #ColomboPlan #Ethiopia

From Arada to Five Addis Ababa Sub‑Cities: MCDO’s Expanding Collaborative Effort in Tobacco Control
2026-04-15 - 2026-05-31 | AddIs Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
By Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO)
📅 April 2026 | ⏱ 5 min read
Introduction
World No Tobacco Day, observed globally on May 31, is fast approaching. This year’s theme, set by the World Health Organization, is:
World No Tobacco Day 2026: ”Unmasking the Appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction”
”ለኒኮቲንና ለትምባሆ ሱስ አጋላጭ የሆኑ ስልቶችን እናጋልጥ!!”
The theme aims to expose how the tobacco and nicotine industry uses modern, appealing tactics – such as e‑cigarettes, flavored products, and digital advertising – to lure young people into addiction.
Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) , in close collaboration with multiple stakeholders, is actively participating in this nationwide awareness campaign. In this blog post, we highlight our organization’s growth over the past five years, the ongoing implementation plan for World No Tobacco Day 2026, and our unwavering commitment to a tobacco‑free future.
From One Sub‑City to Five: MCDO’s Expanding Footprint
Over the past five years, MCDO’s tobacco control efforts have expanded significantly. What began in just three districts of Arada Sub‑City now reaches five sub‑cities of Addis Ababa:

Arada
Kirkos
Lideta
Gulele
Kolfe Keranio(newly added this project year)

This growth has been made possible through funding from the Campaign for Tobacco‑Free Kids (CTFK) and a strong partnership with the Addis Ababa Food and Drug Authority (AAFDA) .
“Five years ago, we started with only three districts in Arada. Today, our work spans five sub‑cities. This is a testament to the dedication of MCDO’s team and the power of collaboration with our partners.”
— Senior Program Coordinator, MCDO
The Ongoing Campaign: From Launch to Closing
The 2026 World No Tobacco Day campaign runs from April through May. MCDO is actively coordinating a range of activities under the city‑wide implementation plan led by AAFDA.
Key Activities and Status

Activity
Details
Status

Launch ceremony
3,000 participants (central) + 500 per sub‑city (11 sub‑cities)
Being finalized

Media professionals training
On tobacco harms and laws
Completed

City council members awareness session
Engaging lawmakers
Scheduled for April

School community training
12 forums for teachers and principals
Ongoing

Nighttime inspections
Night clubs, illegal tobacco vendors
Planned for 2 days

Youth mass sport event
Street‑level physical activity campaign
Planned for May

Model smoke‑free block visits
For council members and media
Early May

Note: These activities are part of the official implementation plan prepared by EFDA, AAFDA. MWF ,HEDAMA and MCDO serves on the Technical, Communication, and Logistics Committees, directly contributing to the plan’s execution.
Partnership with a Rehabilitation Center: A New Bridge
MCDO has initiated a new collaboration with the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Center operating under the Addis Ababa City Administration’s Youth and Children’s Bureau. This center primarily serves street individuals brought in by security forces, helping them undergo behavioral change. Many of these individuals struggle with addiction to tobacco and other substances.
MCDO is now in discussion with AAFDA to provide training for both professionals and clients at this center. Preparations are underway. This initiative will not only improve rehabilitation services but also strengthen support systems for those affected by tobacco‑related addiction.
Strong Institutional Coordination: From Federal to Sub‑City Level
MCDO’s strength lies in its deep, multi‑level partnerships.

At the federal level: MCDO is a member of the National Tobacco Control Committee member (NTCCM) , chaired by the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) . This membership allows us to contribute to national policy development.
At the city level: MCDO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Addis Ababa Food and Drug Authority (AAFDA) , under which we coordinate tobacco control activities in five sub‑cities.
With civil society partners: MCDO works closely with Mathiwos Wondu Foundation (MWF) and HEDAMA. Both organizations are active members of the campaign committees and contribute significantly to the initiative’s success.

Aligning with the Global Theme: Our Vision and Mission
This year’s theme – “Unmasking the Appeal” – directly aligns with MCDO’s mission to expose industry tactics and protect young people.

Our Vision:
To see a city free from tobacco smoke and a society free from tobacco.

Our Mission:
To implement comprehensive, coordinated, multi‑sectoral tobacco control, communication, and cessation programs, thereby protecting Addis Ababa residents from tobacco‑related harm and contributing to national health goals.
By actively participating in this campaign, MCDO demonstrates its commitment to creating a tobacco‑free generation.
How You Can Get Involved
The success of this campaign depends on broad participation. You can contribute by:

Sharing information– Post this blog on your social media channels.
Volunteering– Join awareness activities in your neighborhood.
Respecting the law– Do not smoke in public places; encourage others to do the same.
Contacting us– If you are interested in funding or partnership opportunities, reach out to MCDO.

Conclusion
Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) is actively engaged in the 2026 World No Tobacco Day campaign, working hand‑in‑hand with AAFDA, EFDA, MWF, HEDAMA, and other stakeholders. From our humble beginnings in Arada to reaching five sub‑cities, we are steadily expanding our impact.
A smoke‑free Addis Ababa is our vision. Join us on this journey!
About MCDO
Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) is a community‑based organization operating in Addis Ababa, focusing on tobacco control, substance abuse prevention, and community health protection.
🌐 Website: https://meqoamia.org/
📧 Email: info@meqoamia.org
📞 Phone: +251-XXX-XXXX
Social Media Teaser (for sharing)
🚭 From Arada to five sub‑cities: MCDO’s expanding collaborative effort in tobacco control.
Read how we are participating in the 2026 World No Tobacco Day campaign.
👉 [Read the full blog]
#MCDO #WorldNoTobaccoDay2026 #UnmaskTheAppeal #TobaccoFreeAddis
