Partners in the Horn of Africa, a Canadian charitable organization which undertakes aid project in the Horn of Africa, operates on several simple but effective premises.

Partners only undertakes projects in which local volunteer groups share the cost. Typically, Partners requires its African "partner" to contribute 15-20% of the overall cost of the project. Our "Partners'" contribution may be in cash or in labour. This ensures that Partners' projects respond to real needs in local communities while at the same time involving Africans more directly in "helping themselves".

Partners in the Horn of Africa favours small scale projects which are within reach of the local volunteer groups we work with and who are required to contribute towards the costs. Partners' projects typically involve building medical and educational facilities or footbridges across rivers that are impassable in the rainy season. In the drought prone areas of the country we dig shallow wells and protect fresh water springs…essential in a country like Ethiopia where less than 25% of the population has access to clean water.

Partners is also involved in non-construction projects. In Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Partners and its local "Partners" operate a group home/orphanage for children whose parents were lost to the HIV pandemic. Partners also runs programs to make older orphans and caregivers employable. We enrol students and cover their expenses in basic construction and cooking programs - with the idea of putting them in a position where they can support their younger siblings. We also are heavily involved in micro financing of marginalized women and in assisting them to participate in income generating projects where they can realize a decent income.