GERAMBERO COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROJECT

the project at a glance:

With little more than sticks and stones, the village of Gerambero has gone to great efforts to provide a place for their children to receive an education. Still, their inspiring structure falls short of qualifying as a school where children can learn in a safe, comfortable setting. The lack of clean drinking water leaves children dehydrated and the absence of a safe, private latrine deters parents from sending girls to school. imagine1day is proud to work with the dedicated community of Gerambero to build a new Grade 1-4 primary school which will accommodate 400 children and become the heart and future for this community’s 2,000 inhabitants. Construction will begin in December 2009 and will complete by March 2010.

project objectives:

• Replace temporary Grade 1-2, tree shelter school with a Grade 1-4, four classroom structure with furniture, an eight stall latrine and clean water point.
• Health care education and water management training programs for the community.
• Parent Teacher Association training to seven members.
• Active learning, life skill and science teacher training.
• Plant 2,000 fruit and shade trees and provide tools and environmental training programs.
• Create community gardens for income generation and food security.
• Create reading corners with culturally relevant literature in each classroom.
• Sports Equipment, Creative Writing programs and Schools clubs will also be provided.

community background:

The isolated village of Gerambero sees few outsiders and receives no external assistance. Noted for its seclusion, after the turn of the century, Gerambero housed and hid many of the key government offices during the Italian invasion. Unfortunately, today Gerambero has all but been forgotten by strained government resources in Ethiopia. From the main road 50 kilometers from the nearest town centre, the trek to Gerambero traverses two mountains on a windy and steep 16 kilometer journey. The majority of its villagers live their entire lives without ever leaving the protection of the surrounding hills.

On the path to Gerambero one witnesses the increasingly dry and ecologically impoverished terrain. Aside from the occasional grand and picturesque olive tree, only cacti and eucalyptus can be found. Arable land is in short supply and families make use of surrounding hills for farming which results in considerable land degradation and soil erosion. Still, the average family of seven has only one hectare each to grow enough teff, sorghum and barley to sustain their families. With only one rain fed growing season per year, the challenge to provide adequate staples is substantial. Like most of Ethiopia, families in Gerambero also rely heavily on cattle rearing. However, a shortage of water and grazing land often requires parents to make use of child labour, keeping many school age children from attending classes regularly. Without access to clean water, the community also experiences a high incidence of water borne diseases. This can be very serious as there is no direct access to health care or other social services.

The one service the community has and holds dear is its open air ‘dass’s school. Situated at the centre of village activity, the three year old structure goes well beyond the efforts of most communities. A cactus fence keeps out the village animals and two separate classrooms have been attempted where grades one to three are taught. Branches and dried mud form the walls and roof but they fail to prevent dusty winds and hot sun from piercing into the classrooms and interrupting study. A blackboard is the only resource distinguishing this meager structure as a classroom. Still, the school oozes spirit; a make shift flagpole has been fashioned and a miniature model house sits on the grounds where students are taught healthy living practices. Most impressively and unfortunately very rare, this dass school boasts its own latrine. Again, branches form walls that do not offer any privacy but the presence of this latrine speaks volumes about the progressive and committed understanding of this community towards education, particularly for their young girls. Four teachers instruct 55 grade one students, 42 grade two students and 94 grade three students. The latrine can be credited for over 60% of these students being girls. Teachers estimate however that there are at least 100 school age children in the community that do not attend school and many older children who have never been exposed to the education system.

Just outside of the school ground is a plot that is even more inspiring. It’s only a few feet high but one can see the distinct stone walls and attempted foundation where the community tried hard to build their own four classroom school. Without reinforcements or expertise, they had no choice but to abandon the construction. They know their open air school falls sadly short of being adequate for learning but they need outside help to bring a new school to fruition. Though this community only has a 10% literacy rate, it is highly committed the education of its children.

our work:

With your help, imagine1day will replace Gerambero’s temporary Grade 1-3 open air school with a Grade 1-4, four classroom furnished concrete and stone school, an eight stall latrine, clean water and the training and supplies that will ensure the children receive quality education. Through increased enrollment, the school will serve 400 school age children per year. The school day will be split into two sessions to ensure a classroom size of no more than 50 children.

With an objective of creating a self-sustainable community, 2,000 fruit and shade trees will be planted and a school garden with a micro-irrigation system will be planted. Income generated from the sale of the fruit and vegetables will be used to fund the maintenance of the school. The community will be provided training in water and environmental management where they will learn how to prevent land erosion and how to better adapt to climate changes such as extended droughts. Furthermore, the community will be supplied tools to maintain the project, care for the fruit trees and expand agriculture. Basic health care education workshops for the entire community focusing on disease prevention such as HIV/AIDS and the blinding disease trachoma will also be provided.

community involvement:

imagine1day works closely with local governments to determine communities that have immediate education needs as well as a strong commitment to the process. We then work with the community throughout the planning and implementation of the project, which results in a strong sense of ownership and a future of sustainability. In addition we gain valuable local knowledge and expertise that ensures the success of the project.

Upon entering Gerambero you realize immediately that this community understands that education is the key to unlocking the cycle of poverty and they will do what it takes to build their school. The road to Gerambero is tough and challenging by foot. By truck, it will take an enormous undertaking on the part of the community to have this road ready for building supplies. Mining of rock and clearing of mountain passes will be part of the substantial efforts. Whatever the obstacles, the villagers of Gerambero are ready for the challenge ahead. A school has long been their dream and they have already begun organizing work groups for the road construction. The local government has committed expertise and necessary machinery. From the outset this project will be a group undertaking that builds ownership and pride along with new opportunity. In addition to being the path to education this road has the potential to serve as a larger link to health care, market access and food security for the community.

The community has committed to help ease the burden of delivery by supplying local stone and sand that is readily available for construction. The community will also offer its own labour and support to the construction team while staying in this remote area.

sustainability:

The project is being completed in partnership with the Regional Education Bureau and in line with the national strategic plan for Education for All. The completed school will be administered under the formal school system and facilitated by qualified government employed teachers. A three year comprehensive monitoring and evaluation program is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education to ensure the sustainability of the project. Continuous technical assistance and follow-ups will be provided by the imagine1day regional project office to bring about long lasting and meaningful environmental and social impacts.