Update Mar 09

Where to start with so much activity!

Funds for Dansa School #3 have now arrived and a contractor will start work soon. Gumselasa School #4 (image right) is nearing final completion for the official opening on 26 April. The community of Hagere Selam (School #5 ) have now completed Phase 1 (image left) and a contractor will be starting on the major works very soon.

Ethiopian Manager Bisrat with senior students Brhan & Tamrat have just returned from a very successful Global Issues Network Conference in Doha, Qatar where the highly motivated US International School students continue to enthusiastically raise funds for our school building projects.

David goes out to Ethiopia in early April to visit students, monitor progress and visit our new school site #6 at Adiabaekel where fund raising is already underway.

Ethiopian Update Sep 08

This month PhD student and A-CET Trustee Sammy has been in Ethiopia with Manager Bisrat, monitoring our work but especially talking to and motivating our students. 11 Sept saw the dawn of the Ethiopian New Year 2001 with the news that we had two "firsts". The first time that ALL of our students were promoted a grade and the first time three of our disabled students getting places at the government University. Some of these youngsters said "before I only hoped to finish Grade (Year) 10 and now I am going to University". If proof were needed of how we are able to influence lives to change them for the better, this should be it. For their part we know our youngsters work seriously hard but with the financial security, care and guidance we give them, they are healthier and are getting good results.

Gumselasa school has progressed well even during the rainy season with the continued dedication of the School Director. He stayed throughout the holidays to lead a highly motivated community and the first block of four classrooms is now roofed with doors, glass windows, tiled floors and desks - ready in time for the new term and new students.

My last news - and another "first" is that student Tamrat Merbrhatu who graduated in July 2008 with his Diploma in Music has "cut his first sample disk" called "Keytehasbiyo" or "I'll never forget you". Following an interview we arranged on local radio, he is now getting much air-time and we wish him every success. Tamrat is a trained saxophonist and also self-taught singer. He is currently employed at the prestigious local dining/dancing club Geza Gebreselassie and helps lead our Circus Selam.

In a few weeks time, following our Trustees Annual Meeting to approve last year's accounts, David will leave for Ethiopia.

Ethiopian update Jul 08

I have recently returned from a few weeks in Northern Ethiopia, where most of our work is carried out through our local partners Ethiopian Youth Educational Support (EYES). Much has been made of famines in parts of the country; whilst not decrying these devastating effects, we are fortunate that where we work there are no food shortages. It has however drastically increased food costs nationwide, causing some problems amongst our more vulnerable students so that we have increased our scholarshiop allowances to mitigate their problems. During June all of our over 2,000 students were heavily involved in their end of year exams, which all must pass to be promoted to their next year. Ethiopians take exams seriously, although seem far less stressed about it than their western country counterparts. Results have been trickling in and it is heartening to see that all students, the more they are with and supported by us, show continual improvement, not only academically but with increased self-confidence and better health.

The highlight of my visit was the dedication by His Holiness Abune Paulos of St Michael's Church School Dormitory for over 100 boys, many of whom are disabled, for which A-CET had financed the construction and furnishing.

Completing St Michaels's dormitory (called "Abinet" meaning "good example") in less than six months was an achievement, and now leaves us free to concentrate on the upgrading our third rural elementary school at Gumselasa. Initially this is being done by community labour supported by the local administration with by an EYES Engineer. In line with food prices, all material costs have escalated often by over 30%, resulting from higher fuel and imported material costs. It is anticipated that this will require more than careful re-budgetting.