HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

One of the many legacies of Emperor Haile Selassie’s 50-year reign was the Haile Selassie I Welfare Foundation (HSIWF). The HSIWF was founded on August 4, 1958 and served the poor and underprivileged members of the Ethiopian society until the Emperor’s deposition in 1974. The Foundation provided invaluable services for the underprivileged, such as the blind, the deaf, the disabled and orphans. 
 

These fringe members of the Ethiopian society were afforded education, healthcare and even retirement care.  Part of the funds for these efforts were raised by the cottage industries created for and run by the schools established for the underprivileged. The majority of funds, however, came from the profits of major industries, such as the Anbesa Transportation Company, the Makanisa Beverage Factory, the Birihan and Selam Printing Press, all of which were established for the solepurpose of financing the Foundation’s work.

St. Paulos Hospital and Ghandi Children’s Hospital were also established to provide medical services for the poor and under privileged. In addition, the Foundation established the Haile Selassie I Fellowship, a medal and cash prize for those individuals who achieved the highest standards in the arts and sciences. The cash portion of the prize was enough to allow the scholars to continue their graduate level education abroad.

A devout member of the Christian Orthodox Church, Emperor Haile Selassie used the Foundation also to build churches, monasteries and parochial schools throughout Ethiopia as well as providing funds for scholarships for theological training abroad. Some of the monasteries were not just places of worship and theological study, but were also used as retirement homes with funds provided by the Foundation for the very old who had no access to social security.

The charitable activities of Haile Selassie I Foundation were diverse and effective, however, due to the regime change in 1974, the Foundation’s properties were nationalized and it’s much needed welfare activities dissolved. Hence, it is the primary mission of the Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation to revive the previous Foundation’s charitable contributions and further stimulate economical and social development of Ethiopians and others in need of aid around the world

A few of His Majesty’s contributions are highlighted below:

- Emperor Haile Selassie was the founding father of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the Organization of African Union;

- Established the Haile Selassie I University, now Addis Abeba University, by donating one of the imperial palaces. The AAU is where most of Ethiopia’s scholars received their undergraduate and advanced degrees enabling them to make invaluable contributions to the national and international community in various disciplines such as science & technology;

- Established St. Paul Hospital with modern medical equipment and valuable medical training for healthcare providers;

- Supported Women and Children’s Charity Organizations in Addis Abeba and  remote areas of Ethiopia;

- Established Schools for the blind and the disabled;

- Created an Cash Award Organization to promote Ethiopian and other African scholars who demonstrated accomplishments in various disciplines such as agriculture, industry, literature, science and technology;

- Established educational and care facilities as well as orphanages in the various regions of Ethiopia;

- Provided startup funds for grassroots organizations and cottage industries in order to empower indigenous beneficiaries; 

- Donated funds in support of scholarships at many Universities where he received Honorary Degrees, such as Howard University in Washington, DC;

-Awarded funds to outstanding high school graduates to encourage them to further their education;



The legacy of the Haile Selassie I Welfare Foundation is the driving force behind the Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation. It is this new Foundation’s mission to continue the many admirable humanitarian work that the Emperor achieved under the various charitable organizations he established and/or commissioned. During his 50-year reign, the Emperor was able to fulfill his personal obligation to assist the Ethiopian people and those of other nations. It is the full intention the Haile Selassie I International Development Foundation to revitalize and continue the legacy of the late Emperor’s  humanitarian work in his memory.

[Note: 1. Further information on the HSIWF can be found in “The Establishment of Haile Selassie I Welfare Foundation,” 1959, in Amharic by Aberra Jemberre. Ato Aberra was a member of the Board of Directors and an alternate executive of the HSIWF.

2. Photos from “The History of Realized Visionary Works,” published by The Ministry of Information, Artistic Press, Addis Abeba, October 1973.]