Ethiopia:
Why do the children of Shashemene need a school?
In the community where we work only a small portion of the children attend the government school, where conditions are cramped and over crowded. Some classes have over one hundred students with few books and no writing materials. A few children pay an annual fee and go to a private school.
Those who attend school are the lucky ones - for the rest, there is no chance of a formal education - these kids are trapped in a cycle of poverty that spans generations. In July 2007, we opened a school for 160 students who had no access to school. We employ 4 teachers and 2 teacher assistants. Our hope to expand the school so that all of the 600 children in the community receive a formal education; that's our goal!
For the younger children we provide basic education in the Amharic language and alphabet. We also teach basic mathematics.
The older children are taught: English, Science, Mathematics, Amharic and Civil and Social studies.
We do not provide religous education to any of the children.
India Project Update
Our trip to India was a huge success! We were able to help improve the learning environment for over 1000 students in 3 different village schools. With the help of many donors we were able to purchase chalkboards, desks, teaching aids, book bags, shoes and sporting equipment for the children of the Chinchoti, Bopatpada and Hanum Nagar schools. Meeting the children was an amazing experience and we look forward to our continued relationship with them and the Bombay Rotary Club of Kandivli who we partnered with on this first trip to India.
