Ribbon Cutting Report
THE NUMBERS ARE IN
Harnet's student enrolment figures are in. As a result of the new school construction, enrolment increased from 121 to 210 students. The cement and plaster is just the beginning of a future of promise.
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what the road gave the village
The eight kilometer road built from the main highway to the community of Harnet was intended for the transportation of school construction materials. It fulfilled its purpose incredibly well and is now a lasting legacy that will forever serve this village. Here are some of the benefits the community has already started to see:
The Road to Health
Ethiopia recently trained 30,000 Health Extension Workers (HEWs) who travel to rural communities to raise awareness about the health benefits associated with latrine use and hand washing, to distribute de-worming tablets, vitamin A supplements and vaccinations, and to deliver nutritional screening and information about HIV/AIDS prevention. Thanks to their new road, the first HEW has now visited Harnet. Operating out of the new school, a HEW was recently administering tetanus vaccinations for all females between 15 and 45 years of age. In rural areas like Harnet more than half of Ethiopia's 120,000 annual neo-natal deaths are caused by infections like tetanus.
The Road to Water
It is no surprise that water access is a key component to unlocking prosperity and sustainability for villagers living in the dry northern Ethiopian mountains. Each imagine1day school is designed with water access for clean drinking water, hand washing and micro-irrigation for agricultural income generation activities. imagine1day's next step in Harnet is to drill for water to fully realize sustainability and minimize child absence from school. In a few weeks drilling rigs will be rolling into Harnet to begin the drilling for ground water. The community is fully mobilized to participate in completing improvements and enhancements to their new road necessary to support the weight of the drilling machinery.
The Road to Sustainability
Another delivery that will be bouncing down Harnet's new road in the next couple months will be an imagine1day vehicle loaded with 2,000 fruit and shade tree seedlings for plantation in Harnet's new school field. Currently, Harnet's Parent Teacher Association is organizing the clearing of school land and the digging of tree wells. In preparation imagine1day will administer water management training and further irrigation training for the PTA. As well hand tools such as wheel barrels, shovels and buckets to facilitate the planting will be supplied to the school. When the rainy season begins in June the seedlings will be in the ground with every advantage for survival.
At imagine1day we're happy to report that quality education is now in full swing at Harnet, but we're also proud that your support has literally paved the way for diversified development and benefits for this deserving community. imagine1day believes in development that works hand in hand with local governments and coordinates efforts with other active organizations. Together we are making meaningful inroads for prosperity and sustainability in Ethiopia.
motivated by change - a teacher's perspective
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Life has changed for Harnet's teachers since the completion of the new school. Berhe Belam, Harnet's Second Grade teacher told imagine1day that his own job satisfaction and morale has increased substantially. "Before I would stand all day and would not even check the students' work because there were no desks or tables. Now I spend many late afternoons marking work and creating detailed lesson plans. I make lists of questions and activities for students and I make charts for the walls so students can see their progress. Without walls, without a place to write I was not the same teacher." Berhe also remarked that he is finally able to implement methods that he learned in Teachers College. "I like students to work in teams, it is easier for me to teach them, and for them to interact, now that I have desks and a room we can do this." Berhe reported students are happy and comfortable and that they are able to focus and listen to him properly. "I am a better teacher now, and I have better students as a result." |
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the pta's action plan
The Parent Teacher Association, which forms the leadership of the school, has received its first round of training during which they developed the following action plan for the coming year:
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We hope you are inspired by the changes you have caused in the community of Harnet. We will write again in six months to update you on the progress and impact of your investment in this amazing community. Thank you for your generosity and commitment.
