Building a school is the easy part. Sustaining a quality learning environment that addresses the needs of girls and boys requires vision, commitment and partnership.

IDENTIFY A PROBLEM YOU CAN SOLVE; MAKE A WISE INVESTMENT; SEE A REAL IMPACT

imagine1day knew an organization could remove the layers of complexity and bureaucracy in order to create positve change and have a lasting impact. Together, we've done it. The results are real at imagine1day, and they feel real good too.

In real time, you chose a real place; the Hintalo Wejirat region in northeast Ethiopia. Without places to sit or complete lessons, students and teachers were scattered haphazardly on floors with books and supplies piled on the ground. imagine1day knew that supplying basic furniture would dramatically and immediately enhance the learning capacity of 2,847 boys and 2,732 girls, so did you.

Thanks to your investment, imagine1day was able to get the ball rolling in the Hintalo Wejirat region. imagine1day opened up the bidding to three local furniture manufacturers. The successful supplier, Gebrieal Abadi House & Office Furniture Factory, agreed to complete the first order by December 31, 2007. On December 30, imagine1day inspected 535 desks, 125 shelving units, 140 teacher's desks, and 165 teacher's chairs; extremely happy with the quality, the trucks were loaded. Three days and some bumpy roads later, the first round of eager students and teachers welcomed their delivery. This is just the beginning for the Hintalo region and we're going to keep the ball rollling and keep our investors involved.

But don't take our word for it...

"The woreda Education Office informed us in November and we thought the desks would reach us next year. This is incredible! I have never seen such fast and practical NGO."

- Alamz Woldu, Melbe Primary School Director

"Thank you very much. We thank the NGO named "imagine1day ". We are happy that we get very beautiful desks to seat without the push of the male students. Thank you."

- Zaffy and Tirhaas, Grade 5 Female Students

"We can put our exercise books and text books without problem. We can attend our lessons without suffocation. The new desks are beautiful. Thank you very much."

- Aregay and Zemenfes, Grade 7 Male Students

"My name is Gerbremariyam. I am a parent. I have two children in this school. Today it is a blessing day for our village and to our school in getting all these furniture without any delay. We heard last week and you made it happen today. You are unique. Thank you. We are ready to work with you. I personally is committed to do all my best to improve the school."

- Ato Gerbremariyam, PTA Member

"I personally am extremely happy in such practical intervention within short period of time. This is a valuable lesson to other NGOs! Thank you very much. I am sure this will encourage the schools to do at most effort to improve the education."

- Ato Gebreigziabhere Meles, Hintalo Wejirat Education Office

With imagine1day, every child has a bright future.

By providing something as simple as proper desks and furniture, students can be proud to learn in an environment that allows them to begin to dream of their futures and strive for the greatness they deserve. When the children of the Finote Birhan school received the furniture you invested in, their eyes brightened, their smiles widened and their minds raced as fast as their feet as they dreamed of what they would achieve if they studied hard. Getting children excited about learning can be this simple. Dreaming about continuing your education is difficult for a 7 year old as they complete lessons on their laps while balancing on a stone for a seat. Today, 5,579 children at 13 schools in the Hintalo Wejirat are excited about their educations; they are proud of their school; it is a place of comfort and pride. It is a room filled with big dreams and real possibilities.

Happy teachers make for happy students, and these three teachers of the Finote Birhan school are going to be spreading the joy. Previous to the delivery of the furniture you provided for their school these primary teachers stood in front of a blackboard each day without a table for their lessons; a chair to sit on and mark homework; or a shelf for their books. Teaching is said to be the noblest of professions, and in Ethiopia it is worth saying twice. When imagine1day met the teachers of Finote Birhan they were elated to finally have the infrastructure to build a real classroom, but true to form as good teachers, their first thoughts concerned their students:

• Often these children need to help their families with farm and livestock labour before and after school, it is good that when they are here they can rest, school should be a place where children can be comfortable.
• Stationary and books are valuable and hard to come by, desks, tables and shelves ensure they are well cared for and last longer.
• Children sit very tall and proud in their desks, you can see the change in confidence instantly and the impact on their focus and performance is exciting.

Thank you for being part of this exciting first step.