A sanctuary for children with intellectual disabilities—and the families who refuse to give up on them.
BRUH Care and Learning Center provides holistic care, education, and advocacy for children who have been hidden from society. Here, they are seen, supported, and encouraged to grow in confidence, ability, and dignity.
17
Years of trusted care
250+
Children served since 2008
40
Mothers employed or trained
25
Average caregiver relief hours / week
Mission
We exist to provide individualized care and education for children with intellectual disabilities—many from low-income, single-parent homes—so they can grow in confidence and dignity. Families experience relief, hope, and practical support as their children make meaningful progress.
“Families describe BRUH as safe, trustworthy, and life-changing—a place where their children are accepted without judgment.”
Why it matters
Holistic care that honors each child
Children at BRUH are not defined by their diagnosis. They are welcomed into a community that recognizes their humanity, centers their emotional safety, and cultivates measurable growth across language, motor skills, social connection, and self-regulation.
Seen & Known
Every child is greeted with eye contact, their name, and a predictable rhythm that signals safety.
Respect in Action
We honor family stories, cultural practices, and the pace each child sets for their own growth.
Hope With Backbone
Progress is documented carefully so families can witness tangible change and celebrate each milestone.
Founded by lived experience
BRUH began in 2008 when Ms. Nardos Assefa refused to leave families without support after a decade of work with children who had been hidden away. Without funding, she opened the center using personal savings and the quiet conviction that every child deserves a place to belong.
“I started BRUH so children wouldn't be forced back into hiding.”
What began as a handful of children in a small rented space has become a trusted refuge where progress is tracked carefully, caregivers are empowered, and stigma is actively dismantled.
Building community
Where belonging begins
These moments capture the heart of BRUH—children finding their place, building friendships, and discovering they belong.
Breaking the silence
Bringing children into the light
Across Ethiopia, many children with intellectual disabilities still face challenges in being fully seen and supported. Families often struggle to find guidance and opportunities that nurture their children’s growth.
Bruh Care offers a different path. We provide a welcoming space where children can practice communication, self-care, and social skills alongside patient coaches who understand their unique journey.
Here, families connect with others walking a similar path, learning practical tools, sharing progress, and discovering a community where both children and parents belong with confidence and dignity.
BRUH
Progress worth celebrating
Every milestone—no matter how small—is met with encouragement and a cheer loud enough for the whole class.
Our approach
Personalized pathways grounded in trust
Each focus area blends therapeutic expertise with the warmth of community. Explore how care plans evolve to meet the needs of each child and family.
Holistic Care Plans
Every child receives an individualized learning and care pathway that centers their strengths and needs.
- Speech, motor, and sensory integration woven into daily routines
- Small-group moments that preserve dignity and foster belonging
- Gentle assessments that celebrate incremental breakthroughs
Family Partnership
Mothers and caregivers are welcomed as co-laborers, not bystanders, in their child's growth.
- Coaching circles that build confidence and reduce isolation
- Flexible schedules and respite support for single-parent homes
- Employment opportunities that create stability for families
Specialized Therapies
Targeted therapies are delivered in a setting that feels safe, warm, and personal.
- Language enrichment through play, storytelling, and song
- Occupational therapy that supports fine and gross motor skills
- Emotional regulation practices anchored in trust and routine
Inclusion & Advocacy
We walk with families to challenge stigma and open doors beyond our walls.
- Home visits that help children transition confidently into community spaces
- Workshops for local schools and churches to embrace neurodiversity
- Storytelling that reframes children with intellectual disabilities as fully human
A day at BRUH
Rhythms that build safety and growth
Morning Arrival
A Warm Start
Children are greeted by name, with familiar songs and sensory-friendly transitions that steady the day.
- Soft lighting and tactile stations for grounding
- Nutrition check-ins and shared breakfast
- Circle moments where every voice is heard
Midday Learning
Purposeful Play
Focused skill-building happens through art, movement, and guided social interactions.
- Speech practice through imaginative play
- Adaptive movement sessions in small cohorts
- Quiet corners for self-regulation and reflection
Afternoon Community
Together Forward
Families arrive for updates, shared victories, and planning for home routines.
- Progress journals exchanged with caregivers
- Parent support huddles led by our team
- Preparation for safe transport back home
Founder's story
From humble beginnings to a trusted refuge
When a partner organization closed in 2008, families who had finally brought their children out of hiding were left without options. Ms. Nardos Assefa used personal funds to keep doors open, determined that progress wouldn't disappear overnight. That decision sparked BRUH—built on courage, community, and the belief that every child is worthy of opportunity.
Today, the center remains rooted in that same conviction: to stand beside families who are navigating intellectual disabilities with limited resources, and to ensure their children are embraced with patience, respect, and love.
Words from Nardos
“I promised the children and mothers who trusted us that they would never again be turned away. BRUH is that promise in action—steady, compassionate, and determined.”
— Ms. Nardos Assefa, Founder & Director
Families speak
Real progress, real relief
Selam, age 9
Finding Her Voice
Selam arrived quiet and guarded. With consistent speech practice and patient listening, she now initiates greetings, sings along during morning arrival, and comforts friends who are anxious.
What progress looks like
- Spontaneous verbal communication in Amharic and English
- Improved fine motor control through daily art studio time
- Mother employed part-time at BRUH, creating stability at home
Be part of the story
Help keep BRUH a sanctuary for children and families in Ethiopia.
Partner with us through sponsorship, resource sharing, or professional collaboration. Your support extends specialized care to children who might otherwise go unseen.