Mid-Construction Report
IT TAKES A VILLAGE...
...and 40 labourers, 15 masons, 3 carpenters, 4 bar benders, a foreman, 2 engineers and YOU to build a school in Ethiopia.
Just weeks after groundbreaking, the Seffo Mailekti Community School construction is in full swing. After imagine1day cameras left, the parents and community continued excavating the 30 by 50 meter plot where the school's sub-structure now stands 100% complete. This means the concrete foundation, after being mixed by hand, has been poured and the upgrading (steel reinforcement of concrete wall, door, and window columns) has been finished. Each day a dump truck delivers rough local stone that are hand-carved on site with a hammer and pic into uniform blocks that form the walls. Despite this arduous task the walls are quickly beginning to fill in and a school is materializing. Civil Engineers from the town centre and imagine1day's Construction Supervisor overlook every step, but these are not the only eyes on this project; eager parents, would-be students and community elders have a keen eye on the structure that is taking shape and will shape their futures.
imagine1day would like to introduce our donors to some of the team on the ground:
Leah, 7 years old - Student and Future Leader
Leah was introduced to you in our groundbreaking report. She was the shy, smiling face that told us that she was excited for the new school and the effect it would have on her personal hygiene. Often children, and more often girls, do not attend schools if they do not have access to safe latrines and private spaces. On the day imagine1day visited the site, the new latrine was being excavated; almost 2 meters deep already, this simple addition is a key part of ensuring children like Leah can learn in a safe environment. On our first visit Leah was shy and our cameras foreign. This visit the children were giddy with the realization that there school was now a meter high and that someone, somewhere were really building them a brand new school. She teetered a little on the stone she used as a chair but it was clear that as she opened up to imagine1day cameras, she knew her future was opening up too.
Ato Shiferaw Abadi - Newly formed PTA Chairperson, Seffo Community School
Ato Shiferaw is a shining testament that a little knowledge and a lot of empowerment can go a long way. Ato Shiferaw proudly told imagine1day that he had 9 children; a son with a degree, a daughter with a diploma and all the rest attending school diligently. His dedication and belief in education is why his community has chosen him to lead their newly formed Parent Teacher Association. As a result of imagine1day PTA Training sessions, he has added skills and confidence to his dedication and is accomplishing so much already. The Seffo PTA has taken it upon themselves to conduct and area census and registered all school age children for classes. Parents educating parents about attendance is incredibly effective and has tripled enrollment of the new school for June. With new financial management awareness the PTA has committed their training per diems to school funds and is already organizing a schedule of parents to work freely with the contractor. When the rains start, Ata Shiferaw said he was excited for the planting of the 2000 fruit and shade trees and vowed the space would be green and prosperous. The word he used was 'palace', the school would be a palace.
Ato Zalelam - Parent and Labourer
The new school construction has employed almost 40 general labourers from the local area. With near 100% unemployment and almost entirely reliant of subsistence farming, the boost to the remote community has been significant. Ato Zelalam, the father of 7 year old Leah, who imagine1day introduced you to already, is employed full time at the site. He feels lucky to have the opportunity and has committed one day's salary each week to the school's PTA fund as almost all of the parents and community members have done. This hard working father knows that he is poor, but sees a better future for Leah and the other children of the village, and is committed to doing what he can to be part of it.
Solomon Giermay - Engineer and Principal of Abadi Construction
After reviewing many bids and credentials, imagine1day chose Solomon Giermay of Abadi Construction to complete the very first of our collaborative schools. His use of local materials and labour along with his familiarity with local building practices has kept the construction on time and on budget. imagine1day visited the site on a local holiday but he and his crew were hard at work to meet our deadline. Solomon told imagine1day that he was astonished at the support of the community; the maintenance of the road; and the voluntary labour he was offered each day. On the day that imagine1day visited there were 11 village volunteers on the road unearthing local blue masonry stone to be provided for the foundation. Solomon knows the dry, eroded land makes each stage difficult but he too feels the momentum gathering in Seffo, and is happy to be part of this inaugural project.
Yeheyis Berhane - imagine1day's Tigray Project Coordinator
As a donor, you need to have confidence in the team carrying out your projects. Meet Yeheyis Berhane. With ample qualifications and diverse experience, Yeheyis was eager to work with the new International NGO he had heard was making speedy progress in Tigray. A long time school Teacher and Principal, Yeheyis' passion for education found him leading a Woreda Council Education Board and helping to orchestrate the Tigray government's longterm education plans. Now, a key imagine1day asset, his network and familiarity with the region and its peoples goes a long way in helping imagine1day form crucial relationships with key partners.
When you spent an hour with Yeheyis you know immediately that he was, and is still at heart, a teacher, his love of children and his pride and confidence in the local Tigray culture makes him the ideal leader of the imagine1day team. In high level meetings with former colleagues or sitting on the dirt asking small children about their educational priorities, Yeheyis' passion for education beams from his friendly smile.
Thank you for being part of this exciting first step. imagine1day is up and running and we don't want to slow down until we've reached the 'Education-for-All' finish line.