In Ethiopia, community based organizations, like idirs, play a great role in conducting care andrnsupport services to HIV/AIDS orphans. But little is known about how well the needs ofrnHIV/AIDS orphans addressed and less has been documented about how effective their care andrnsupport programs . This study has explored how CBOS established in the study area carry outrncare and support services to HIV/AIDS orphans and dealt with the challenges they encountered.rnThe study was conducted in Kolfe Keranyo Sub-city Woreda 01, locally known as Zenebeworkrnarea. Qualitative research design, Purposive and Convenience Sampling techniques withrnPhenomenological approaches were used to conduct the study. The qualitative data collectionrnmethods like FGD and KII and participant observation were employed to collect data fromrnHIV/AIDS orphans, non-orphaned children, care givers, governmental and non-governmentalrnemployees, school teachers .The findings of the study revealed that, communities can getrninvolved in responding to HIV/AIDS orphans and development issues to sustain the care andrnsupport activities However ,the study showed that the program could not fulfill the needs of allrncategories of HIV/AIDS orphans due to limited resources of the community . The majorrnconclusion of the study is that CBOS have an important role to play in the response to HIV/AIDSrnorphans if capacitated, and supported with sufficient resources. The study also recommendsrnalternative care and support arrangements, utilizing local resources efficiently and effectively,rnbuilding the capacity of idir leaders and creating networks among stakeholders engaged in therncare and support activities in order to alleviate the problems of HIV/AIDS orphans.rnKey Words: care, support, HIV/AIDS orphan, maternal orphans, paternal orphans, caregivers