Schools

Gumselasa Full Elementary School #4

This is our recently completed project. Built on time and on budget for £70,000 this upgraded school was dedicated on 26th April 2009 by HE Ambassador Dr Kassa Gebrehiwot. Originally two local built dark classrooms plus a shack with less than 100 students, this is now has eight bright, airy and cool classrooms basically furnished and is a full elementary school accommodating for over 400 youngsters from Grades 1 to 8.

EYES Engineer Amberbir oversaw both the community and contractor phases of this construction using almost all local community labour to complete what was termed a model school built in model way of full cooperation between the local administration, education authorities and community.

On a hot sunny and very windy day, the colourful dedication ceremony was attended by nearly a thousand. All were entertained by our Circus Selam group followed by much dancing and feasting. Certainly a day this justifiably proud community will never forget.

Following handover this school will be self sustaining, staffed and supplied by the local education authorities and maintained by the local community. A true example of carefully monitored targeted support bringing closer access to better quality educational facilities to those otherwise marginalised local farming youngsters assuring a better future for all.

Latrines are a vital component in the schools we build, particularly in an area with few facilities. Fewer children fall sick and the older girls especially when they start menstruating, are more comfortable to stay longer in education.

Gumselasa is an interesting village which has grown up virtually in the last 15 years following the A-CET Chairman's local work when an International Red Cross delegate to helped them to build a nearby micro dam, giving them access to year round irrigation to grow vegetables. Another interesting aspect is that about half the population is Muslim, in a predoninately Christian highland area. Relations are good, perhaps an example to us all?

Thanks are due to funding for this project by 4i2i, Lazard Charitable Trust, GIN Doha, Qatar US School, Wigston Methodists and many others.

Impact

Now completed this school brings closer access and better long-term educational facilities to over 400 of the most vulnerable rural youngsters, many of whom without this school, probably would not have this opporttunity to attend any education at all

Completed new school now in use - May 2009

David congratulates Gumselasa Community on their new school

Bright and airy new classroom block