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.

A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION

The girls of Debub's Grade Two Class have a reason to celebrate. Since the furniture delivery that you made possible their school has improved in so many ways. "In the morning all the girls would get pushed by the boys for the comfortable desks...then we would have to sit on the dirty floor to complete our lessons" reports Gotatom, a grade two student at Debub Primary.

Gotatom's teacher confirmed that the performance of the girls in her class never seemed as high and she felt badly as she knew learning was far more difficult without the benefit of a proper desk. This year, Gotatom has not been pushed once, and in the comfort of her desk, she was recently recognized for her exceptional writing skills. "I am now happy to come to school and not worry about fighting and being uncomfortable" explains Gotatom.

"Since the new furniture, the difference in the children is easily observed, they smile, their faces, their posture, their writing, their attention span, their test scores."

Mobrata Gabrey, Daeritta Grade Two Teacher

enrolment is on the rise

Just over six months ago imagine1day told you about the delivery of the much needed school furniture you provided for primary schools in Ethiopia. School is back in session and we now know the impact the furniture is having. From enhanced enrolment to proper penmanship, the tangible results are mounting.

Previously, children were not keen to attend classes to sit on hard dirt floors or cramped into the few desks that each child coveted. Likewise, parents were reluctant to send their children off to classes they did not see as legitimate or favorable to learning. Teachers lacking tables or chairs had nowhere to create lesson plans or mark assignments and were challenged. Your concern and action has changed all of this. Your tangible gifts have created real results and highlighted the importance of education in these communities. The numbers tell the simple story; going to school is fun!

• Mere'da School - 36 new students, a 17% increase over last year
• Debub School - 280 new students, a 26% increase over last year
• Abada School - 62 new students , a 29% increase over last year
• Gonka School - 177 new students, a 57% increase over last year
• Zegaw School - 136 new students, a 219% increase over last year
• Daeritta School previously enrolled 48 new grade one students last year, this year, 101 new grade one students are enrolled.
• In 24 imagine1day supported schools, the average increase in enrolment this year was 20%

Wazza primary school is feeling the excitement

At Wazza Primary School, enrolment iincreased by 28% this fall. 168 children that had either dropped out of school, or never had the chance to attend are now in class gaining a valuable education. Wazza has never seen this rate of increase. They attribute the surge in excitement about school to the involvement of imagine1day. Mitiku is a smiling, exciting part of this inspiring percentage. Last year, Mitiku's parents felt it was important for him to stay home and help with household chores like watching the family's goats and cows. Families in Ethiopia rely heavily on their children and especially boys for supportive labour with livestock. It is common to see boys as young as six years old miles from home for days leading cattle to water or grazing land.

After the delivery of school furniture last May, Mitiku's whole village was abuzz with talk about education. The newly trained PTA at Wazza Primary was reaching out to all families and explaining how new inputs into their modest school signalled a turning point for their school. Parents began to see that education would be valuable to their entire family and community. As no agency or government assistance had come to Wazza in decades, the presence of imagine1day garnered everyone's attention and brought about incredible awareness to education. Mitiku's parents were paying attention. Having no education themselves, they previously did not see the value in sending their children to school. This has changed. Now school has become the hub of the community. This fall, Mitiku, much like the rest of the world's six year olds is learning the alphabet and looking forward to the football match at recess.