HARNET COMMUNITY SCHOOL

the project at a glance:

The future school of Harnet will substantially impact the lives of 375 children and their families. A first cycle primary school with quality instruction in grades one through four, running water and latrines will transform this remote community of nearly 1,500 people.

Minimum Investment - $11.07 (one tin roof sheet for the latrine)
Maximum Investment - $75,615.75 (fully funded project)

goal:

To build a school that will foster an improvement in the livelihood of an entire community through the focus on their most important resource, the children.

objectives:

• Replace temporary grades one to two, tree shelter school with a grades one to four, four classroom structure with furniture, textbooks, latrines and drinking water well serving 375 school age children.
• Mobilize and train the Parent Teacher Association.
• Provide teacher training
• Plant 2,000 fruit and shade trees and provide tools and environmental training programs.
• Health care education and water management training programs for the community.
• Provide sports materials for physical education.

community background:

To access this special and remote community, imagine1day's vehicle was the first of many to travel down a new road that was built specifically for the delivery of school materials. While only 45 km north of the town centre of Adigudom in Hintalo Wejirat District, the tough terrain made for an arduous two hour drive into one of the most picturesque valleys in the region of Tigray. Upon arrival two villages were visible at either end of a small valley where the community built the existing open air school two years ago. In the villages, homes are circular stone structures called hidmos which, although impressive in context, fall dearly short of the English translation of 'palace'. Inside the Hidmo is referred to as 'Kuri' meaning cloud and referring to the coolness created by the large mud roofing style. The people of Harnet are incredibly resourceful with the meager offerings their natural environment offers.

Surrounding Harnet the landscape is dry, eroded and ecologically impoverished. Land for farming is scarce and many families resort to farming in the hills resulting in significant land degradation and erosion. Few trees are present except for the odd Eucalyptus tree and fruit bearing Cacti. Lack of clean water has also resulted in a high incidence of water borne disease. Other than the temporary school, there are no other social services in the community and few villagers ever have the opportunity to leave the village setting.

Much like the region on a whole, Harnet's population lives 'hand to mouth' which in Ethiopia means that subsistence farming and cattle rearing provides the community with adequate nourishment from day to day but that long term food security is fleeting. In times of drought, the community is at high risk. Rain fed agriculture provides a yearly harvest of Ethiopian staples such as sorghum and teff. Cattle and goats provide the secondary food source but unlike much of Tigray, Harnet also has access to a river a few kilometers away where fresh fish are caught to supplement their food supply. Still, the instability in food security often requires parents to make use of child labour for cattle grazing and water retrieval preventing them from attending school regularly.

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. By meaningfully involving the community in the planning and implementation of all aspects of imagine1day projects, we build pride and achievement that directly relates to school sustainability. In addition we gain valuable local knowledge and expertise that ensures project success.

Upon entering Harnet there is a clear realization that this community understands that education is the key to unlocking the cycle of poverty and is willing to move mountains to make it happen, literally. The community has already made significant improvements to the mountainous access road and is working with zonal administrators to ensure it is safe for imagine1day delivery trucks. This is the first time that a vehicle has visited Harnet. Lack of infrastructure like roads can be a major barrier to communities accessing outside aid. This road will serve as a larger link to health care, market access and food security for the community.

As well, the community is mounting a huge effort to ensure every parent values education. A year ago, the community's respected religious leaders collectively committed to sending every one of their children to school as an example for the village. Combined with the excitement of a new school, this community is poised to reach full child attendance.

Due to the lottery system teachers are entered into after graduation in Ethiopia, many of the keenest and progressive teachers are found in some of the most remote communities. This is definitely the case in Harnet. Two years ago when the community built the open air school and asked the local government for teaching staff, Daniel Amara came to the rescue. Director and one of two teachers, Daniel has exceeded the community's expectations. Trained in both law and a teacher, he chose his passion and is excited to be making a difference in Ethiopia's public school system. Together with his colleague Neguse, the teachers have done their best with their $70/month salary and what little resources the community has. Still, the structure falls desperately short of being conducive to quality learning. Education beyond the second grade is not an option for the children of Harnet as harsh weather and long distances prevent them from travelling the two hour walk to the nearest full primary school. The current school struggles to instruct 66 grade one students and 55 grade two students.

Adjacent to one another, each class is situated under a tall tree that provides partial shade and cover. Each has a meter high stone fence, the purpose of which is to protect the children from the harsh winds blowing through the valley. Branches are then arranged to offer more shield from the hot Tirgriyna sun. Inside stones form small benches, with children in the back rows teetering five stones high in order to be able to see the one blackboard that is carried from the village each day. The floor is simply dusty earth. On one of the days imagine1day visited, children took turns shooing goats away during their lesson. There are no desks, no toilet, or book shelves. Nothing resembling items you identify with a school, with the exception of great teachers and of course the 121 eager young minds that show up each day hoping to learn. Outside, the grounds between the two tree shade schools has been diligently cleared and the children take breaks from their uncomfortable seats to run, tumble and play football with a hand sewn cloth ball. Land is scarce but the community has made education a priority and set aside enough for the school to have a play area. The resourcefulness of this community and these teachers is astounding. To think of their potential when given all the advantages a new school brings is exciting to say the least!

the solution:

With your help, imagine1day will replace Harnet's temporary grades one and two tree school with a grades one through four, four classroom furnished concrete and stone school with toilets and clean water. 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. Further training for Daniel and Neguse will also be provided to strengthen active learning, gender equality in school and a student centered approach to teaching. As well, the government has already committed additional teachers for the new school. The new school is expected to provide quality education for the community for the next 35-40 years.

The project will also benefit the environment and community as a whole. The community will be provided training in water and environmental management to prevent erosion and adapt to climate changes such as extended droughts. Furthermore, the community will be supplied with 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.

One of the key outputs of the project is providing environmental conservation and economic sustainability for the community as well as quality basic education. To improve the environment and increase the income for the community (and school), 2,000 marketable fruit trees, wind break and shade providing trees will be planted in the school ground and in the nearby non-arable hills. The types and location of planting will be decided in consultation with the community and the government agriculture office.

Improved livelihood and environmental sustainability go a long way in ensuring student attendance and performance at school.

sustainability:

The project is being completed in partnership with the Tigray 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.

partnerships:

Lundin for Africa has generously funded the water and agricultural components for the Harnet Community School.