Ethiopian Schools Project
Working with local people in Ethiopia to build
a hope and a future through education
”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
”plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29v11
August 2011
The team with their co-workers and friends in Shasemene in August. Kevin and Christine led the team of 8 from N.Ireland.There were 4 first timers on the trip, including our long time volunteer, 16 year old Paul. Claire, Claire and Catriona, two nurses and a teacher also made their first trip. For Helen and Mairead it was their 2nd time as they had both been over the previous year.
Earlier this year we started to support a second school with 150 pupils.This now brings the total number of children between the two schools to around 500!! The team were warmly welcomed by both schools. This is our second school at Tesfa, Shashemene
The children are eager to learn and extremely grateful for the opportunity they have been given to receive an education.
The children at the Alelu Kebele school enjoying the enclosed playing field. Charnot and friends have fun with the ball they’ve been given.
Medical checks were carried out on the children at Tesfa by nurses Christine, Claire and Catriona.They diagnosed and treated a wide variety of ailments.
A party was held for the members of the deaf community who Helen, Mairead and Paul spent a lot of time with during the trip. In a culture where the deaf are very much ignored because no-one can communicate with them, this was an amazing experience for each of them.
The team were deeply moved by the plight of the starving children in the local hospital, many of whom were suffering from starvation due to the ongoing famine in Ethiopia.They were able to distrbute food and blankets and comfort the mothers who were helplessly watching their children suffer.
A team will be going back in January 2012 and be working very much with the hospital in addition to our schools.
January 2011
A team of 6 visited Shashemene in January providing medical checks, educational training for the teachers and practical support.
Matthew and Sabrina completed health checks on all 320 children.
The children, in the second school we now support, playing with Duplo for the first time
Most of the classes have around 50 children. They love the bright colourful rooms
There’s always painting to be done.Christine and Matthew making the second school more colourful.
Sabrina, Seman and Matthew at “bunna” (coffee) ceremony. A very special occasion in Ethiopian culture.
As eldest person there, Kevin always has the privilege of cutting the bread and getting the first cup of bunna!
The children now eat their dinner every day in the new dining hall.
Nicola and Christine with some of the educational equipment they brought out.
There weren’t many photos of Moore! ( Yes, Hilda he CAN paint!)
