One Year Report
HIGH SCORES FOR HYGIENE
Six months ago, Seffo's Principal Weldegebriel wished he could have given marks for health and hygiene, as ready access to clean water in the schoolyard had made profound improvements on his students' wellbeing and attendance. In the persistent drought, Seffo's water source has fluctuated and at times dried out, but the students have remarkably maintained their level of hygiene. Ato Weldegebriel is happy to report that your investment in Life Skills Teacher training is showing healthy returns. "The students have really applied what they have learned in class in their homes," he says, "they bathe before they come to school; and they are keen to cleanse their hands after using the latrine."
Of the 30 schools imagine1day works with, we're very proud of our first community school which, despite having one of the most challenging water situations, has the cleanest students. The school latrine has become a model for the community. By the principal's estimation, 50 new latrines have been built in the area, up from 20 before the school was constructed.
The model home teachers constructed to instruct students on clean food preparation, efficient food storage and overall sanitary living has perhaps had the biggest impact in the community. Government health attendants who periodically visit rural villages report that, of Seffo Maialekti's 280 households, 250 have already replicated the model in their homes.
a hand up, not a hand out
imagine1day believes that in order for development to be sustainable, community ownership must exist. Six months ago we told you about an income generation activity developed by Seffo's PTA with 300 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) in seed money and training they received through imagine1day. The PTA used part of the 3,000 ETB return earned from wheat they harvested on the school land to replace 360 fruit trees that didn't survive last year's dry season. In addition to this, much needed rain has recently fallen in the Tigray region where Seffo is located and has replenished the ground water, easing many water-related hardships. Using the hand tools you supplied, 100 community members contributed their labor to plant the trees, whose progress and expected yield are illustrated below.
With the income they earn, the PTA plans to replace sport materials as they wear out, maintain a steady supply of stationary and encourage students with special awards. This past May, they mobilized 30 community members to build an attractive stone fence around the school grounds to protect the thriving leafy trees from the wandering livestock.
looking back and planning ahead
For most children in developed countries, the last day of school is usually the most exciting; we can hardly wait to drop our books and dive into the carefree days of playing with our friends, eating ice cream and going on family vacations. However, for the children in rural Ethiopia, summer means long days of hard work in the family fields, weeding, plowing and tending to livestock. We asked the students at Seffo what this past year has meant for them and how they will spend their summer break.
"That I am able to improve myself, even in sports; that it's possible to get better."
-Weldekiros Desalegn, age 12. Stood 12th last year and is now the top student in grade two.
"In Civics and Ethics, the most important things I learned were patience and tolerance; in English, the names of parts of the body."
-Zenau Hayelom, age 10, grade 3.
"In geography, a map of the earth shows us how big the world is but in a very small picture."
-Liyah Luel, age 8, grade 3.
"My parents forced me to keep cattle after school. I prefer to study or play."
-Hagos Girmay, age 10, grade 1.
"I was in first place last semester, but I'm not sure where I stand after the final exam because I've had to work in the home keeping cattle and carrying firewood a lot this spring."
-Weldekiros Desalegn, age 12, grade 2.
"Being shy and speaking in front of the class. I want to change this."
-Liyah Luel, age 8, grade 3.
"I will study the exercise books we received for the next session; especially English because it is the toughest subject."
-Hagos Girmay, age 10, grade 1.
"I will keep cattle to help my family and study for grade three."
-Weldekiros Desalegn, age 12, grade 2.
"I'll help my family with weeding in the fields."
-Liyah Luel, age 8, grade 3.
"I will be plowing and weeding the farmland, keeping cattle and playing Gumbihit ("Bend Over").
-Zenau Hayelom, age 10, grade 3.
"Playing sports with my friends and having everyone coming together each day."
-Hagos Girmay, age 10, grade 1.
"Learning."
-Weldekiros Desalegn, age 12, grade 2.
"I will miss my friends and playing with a real football. I can't wait for the first day of school."
-Zenau Hayelom, age 10, grade 3.
"I will miss learning and singing with my classmates."
-Liyah Luel, age 8, grade 3.
"Last year I was attending a school that was far from my home. We had to fetch water to bring to school because we didn't have a water point there. Now water is nearby so it is much easier to water tree seedlings and to drink. Also, not having any more difficulties with stationary shortages makes it easier for my parents to encourage my education."
-Zenau Hayelom, age 10, grade 3.
"Last year in the dass (tree) school, my family would make me stay home to avoid the dust and rain and wind. But since we've had this building, they really encourage me to go to school and study hard. Also, I used to be in third place, but now I'm in fifth because the other students have become much stronger and some very strong students have joined our school from other places. I'm studying very hard, but they won't let me into the top 3 club."
-Liyah Luel, age 8, grade 3.
Despite her rank in class, Liyah is still an excellent learner and her GPA is on the rise. At eight years old, she is the youngest third grade student at Seffo; her teachers praise her as a unique, "active" student and a very talented singer. In fact, most students we ask want to be doctors, teachers or pilots-Liyah is the only one who aspires to be a musician. We asked her to sing for us, appreciating that she might be too shy. But what happened next was nothing short of magical: as if someone had turned her light switch to ON, Liyah dropped her inhibitions and bust out in song. The class began to clap and sing back-up, and soon three female students joined Liyah at the front of the room in a shoulder shakin' Iskista, the traditional dance of the Tigray region.
We couldn't think of a more awesome way to wind up a successful first year at our very first community school project. Thank you for granting us your confidence to bring cutting edge, self-generating primary education to the wonderful community of Seffo Maialekti.
