PROJECT UPDATES: SEFFO MAIALEKTI COMMUNITY SCHOOL

• Ground Breaking - February 26, 2008
• Mid-Construction - April 29, 2008
• Ribbon Cutting - July 7, 2008
• Six Month Report - February 25, 2009
• One Year Report - July, 2009

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ground breaking - February 26, 2008

A groundbreaking can be understood to mean something markedly new, exciting, something no one else has done. It can also be a person with a shovel, modestly unearthing the soil, making way for development. In this case, it is both.

Last week imagine1day visited the site of your school, the first project, Seffo Maialekti community school. The entire village was there to greet us. Among them, 287 girls and boys standing atop a picturesque tigray mountaintop, singing together amid diligently practiced outbursts of 'thank you imagine1day' evokes emotion and affirms purpose that is unparalleled. Beaming excitement and hopeful smiles, the children surrounded by parents, teachers and elders welcomed us, and invited us to celebrate with them the first day of school construction.

That afternoon, each partner took a shovel into their hand and symbolically secured earth between stone to mark the foundation. A village elder first, full of pride and patience, followed by education officials from every level of government and then, imagine1day's president, smiling ear to ear, dug into the soil on your behalf and handed the shovel to a teacher and then a child. The school was underway.

The village elders commented that the groundbreaking was the first time so many of the community had all gathered together. That day, for a school, for their children's future, young and old gathered to welcome the school that would clearly be the pride and priority of each person. Sitting together during the ceremony, we heard heartfelt presentations detailing everyone's commitment to the construction and sustainability of the community school. "We understand what this means for our village and we will do everything we can to ensure success" expressed a community leader. This community, as 'behind' as it may seem to some, was far ahead in knowing where their priorities lay, where their focus was best held; their children came first.

With honor, imagine1day accepted, on your behalf, the astounding gratitude of this inspiring community. The dancing, singing, presentations by officials, elders, parents and children, followed by traditional meals and coffee ceremonies left us humbled by such a show of hospitality. The demonstration of spirit and hope appropriately marked the first day of construction.

But the action has just begun; during this process imagine1day will be describing to you what we can only imagine will be exponential excitement as we celebrate the opening of the school you invested in. The impact is real, it is soon, and we want you to experience it with us.

A groundbreaking day, indeed.

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mid-construction - April 29, 2008

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.

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ribbon cutting - July 7, 2008

imagine1day is proud to report that your school is complete and open for learning!

For the first time ever, the children of the village of Seffo Maialekti are excited to wake up and go to school. For the first time ever they are able to do so safely. Leah and her friends pictured below couldn't be happier.

The children, parents and teachers of Seffo would like to thank you for your gift of education. This community, whose children had to walk up to 20 kms to spend their days hunched on stones trying to learn, is now the proud custodian of a model school that has become the benchmark for quality education in the region.

Aster, a mother of two, told imagine1day that she desperately wanted her daughters to attend school but that attending past grade two meant they walked two hours each way. She worried each day that at the river's crossing her children would be carried away, so she herself walked an hour each way to ease her fears. At the opening of your school she thanked imagine1day for the opportunity her daughters would have and said that her whole family would benefit from her being able to help more in her garden instead of making the long trip each day. Your contribution has already had a big impact on this village. When a community has so little, the gift of education can change its trajectory forever. Parent and PTA Chairperson, Ato Shiferaw commented, "I feel privileged to have such a fine school, and know that I now have the opportunity to change my children's lives in a way that I never could with my own. It is my duty now to take this chance and help others with the knowledge that I have from imagine1day."

see your money in motion from start to finish

It was just a few short months ago, on December 11th that the Seffo School project was first posted on the brand new imagine1day website. The support we've had for our first project has been truly inspiring, and it shows.

Excited children are in shiny new desks under a brand new roof and thankful hands are cupping clean, safe water from the new taps. Girls and Boys are using their first latrines and teachers are writing on blackboards that hang from real walls.

imagine1day has taken the cement, stone, iron bars, roofing tiles, water components, latrine doors, desks and shelves that you contributed and transformed them into a school for 287 of Ethiopia's brightest children. Simple objects, but together, they formed a four room, furnished school with clean water access and safe latrines where children are eager to come earn the education that will break the cycle of poverty that has shadowed this community. It was that simple, and the impact you have had on an entire community is overwhelming.

the new model for development

The Seffo Maialekti Community School is being praised in government offices and village gatherings as a model of sustainable, holistic and innovative education in the region. The word is out; imagine1day is an organization that is serious about immediate action in Ethiopia.

"We have never experienced such an immediate and comprehensive response" expressed Ato Alem Aregawi, Head of the region's Administrative Office. After cutting the ceremonial ribbon the Vice President of the Regional State, Ato Abadi, recommended to all communities to take with them "a valuable lesson from imagine1day's effective and efficient partnership model".

The advice was well received by representatives of villages that imagine1day has targeted for future schools who had walked for a full day to witness the school opening. For the villages of Adi-Ajero, Harnet and Weste imagining one day is not a day too far away.

the new PTA plans to make the most of this opportunity

The Seffo community has felt ownership over this project from the first day imagine1day began working with them. This has inspired them to keep the momentum going. With your generosity they have been given the tools and knowledge to both maintain and grow the school's infrastructure and capacity. When combined with the income generating programs that you have provided, this community is positioned to be independent and self sustaining in the long term. Together, the community of Seffo Maialekti and its network of local supporters are set to work toward the following goals:

• Build a school fence and hire a guard.
• Plough surrounding fields to cultivate different crops to generate income for the school and to assist poor families in sending their children to school.
• Harvest and sell fruit from the 2000 seedlings that have been planted.
• Introduce the community's first access to Grade 3 and 4.
• Use generated income from crops to build a second structure to house a library, offices and classrooms to expand to Grades 5 to 8

Ato Shiferaw, PTA Chairperson gave an inspiring speech to fellow parents and community members. He told a story of how he used to ask his children to tend to cattle for the good of his family. When he lost the cattle one year during a drought, he realized that the cattle were 'not his forever', he realized his children were, and that time was best used tending to them. He has committed to send all of his children to school and is working hard to have every child in the area enrolled.

in the words of the children...

"People very far away that do not even know me helped me to go to school and I want to tell them that I am very happy and will study very hard to make them proud if they ever met me."

"I like imagine1day very much because they saved us from the weather as well as the far distance, I think this is because imagine1day loves children. I consider them to be like our parents."

"I am very happy. It's good to learn the lessons in the shade and on a chair. I will study hard and like imagine1day I will take good care of children when I grow up."

"About a year ago when my parents sent me to school, I did not want to go because I hated to walk a very far distance. But now it feels like the safety of the backyard of my house."

On behalf of all the children, thank you for supporting imagine1day.

a message from drew boshell, board member

"The opening of the Seffo Primary School marks a huge accomplishment for imagine1day. It is amazing to think that we only started registering in Ethiopia 10 months ago. To accomplish so much in such a short time is truly amazing. We'd love to be able to show you firsthand the quality of the building and the joy on the faces of the children. Several of our government partners commented that this was now the best school in the district, which is something we can all be proud of. In all our combined years working overseas, we have never seen a more gracious community. The head of the Parents Teachers Association gave a rousing speech starting with the fact that words could not express their feelings of gratitude. I will never forget the paper sign that the children were holding which read 'Canada is our Best Mother.' They knew that this was not just some big organization that was spending money but hundreds of individuals, mostly from Canada, who were connecting with them and caring about them as people.

The highlight of the opening was to see the children use the water station to drink their first sip of school water. After several gulps of clean water, they broke out into a water fight. The kids were splashing the water around, laughing and screaming with joy. School was now fun the way it should be.

At the end of the ceremony when we tried to leave the community simply would not let us. They said we must dance for you to show you our happiness. All the men started in a large circle chanting while the woman yodelled their approval from the side. The entire imagine1day team could not resist and joined in the dance. The community erupted in excitement and the dancing got even more intense. Then something happened that I never expected. During times when a child would have a great accomplishment, the parent would usually run up during the moment and stick some money on the child (usually one to three birr). It is seen as a very public sign of appreciation. Would you believe that during my dancing someone ran up and stuck ten birr onto my forehead - the equivalent of two days salary for most in Seffo. We were all shocked, embarrassed and incredibly honoured all at the same time. It was an honour bestowed upon all of us. To think, this all started with a dream, which enrolled the hearts of others and resulted in fulfilling the dreams of so many more. Thank you for making this small miracle possible and allowing others to fulfill their dreams."

With great respect,
Drew

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six month report - Seffo's bright future - February 25, 2009

high scores to come

imagine1day recently spoke to Seffo's School Principal, Ato Weldegebriel about his hopes for the upcoming mid-term exams. He explained that all grade levels in Ethiopia are tested bi-annually to determine whether students will continue to the next grade. Previously at Seffo, children struggled to write their exams, teetering on stones and balancing paper on their laps. This year will be the first time they will be able to focus, seated at proper desks. Ato Weldegebriel expects the students' test results to improve immensely. "They love their new school, they never come late and we have no dropouts," says Ato Weldegebriel, "The students are motivated by their new sports equipment, books and furniture. No one fights over who has to carry the blackboard from the village."

Ato Weldegebriel expects the students' final examination scores to also significantly improve. "In the past, children performed the worst at the end of the year as the rains made them cold and wet which caused them to skip many classes. This year the rains will not affect us," says Ato Weldegebriel. When asked how the students have changed since the completion of the school Ato Weldegebriel replied, "The biggest changes cannot be measured by a score. The biggest change can be seen in the students' overall behaviour, their health and their hygiene. We cannot give grades for cleanliness, but if we did, they would be the highest."

student profile

educate a child, educate a household

Over the past six months, the teachers at Seffo have been applying techniques that they learned from the active learning and life skill teacher training that you supported. The training has resulted in interactive classrooms, gender sensitivity and a hands-on approach to teaching skills that are relevant to Seffo's rural setting. Lessons at Seffo go far beyond delivering theory on a blackboard.

Teachers are working hard to build a model community on the school property that utilises simple practices and local materials to promote a healthier, cleaner environment. They have created a model home that includes mud-made shelves for clean storage of clothing and cookware, a stove that makes use of fire to boil water and to cook, as well as cylindrical mud vessel that helps to cool foods and act as a refrigerator. Also included is a clay receptacle that composts natural waste and a coup where chickens can be kept separate from living areas. The impact of this model is already being seen. Teachers are reporting that fewer children are missing school due to sickness. The children understand this too. Eight year old Ababa told imagine1day, "Protecting myself against disease and germs will mean I don't have to miss any school."

Today in the community of Seffo 205 children are happier because you chose to support the training of three teachers who have taught these students how to create a healthier life resulting in positive changes that will last a lifetime.

income generation for tomorrow

The community of Seffo is situated in Ethiopia's Northern region of Tigray. Knowledge of Tigray was brought to the attention of the West in the early eighties when the music world came together to draw international attention to the drought and famine that was ravishing the people of this region. Today, these images are what many people first associate with Ethiopia. Though there have been vast improvements as a result of international aid and increased capacity in the country, much of the population continues to rely heavily on subsistence farming and cattle rearing, an existence that continues to be compromised in times of drought.

Tigray's rainy season or 'Kiremt' generally starts in late June and ends by early September. However, in 2008 the rains came very late, were sparse and did not last through the season. Many families were only able to harvest a small percentage of what they grew and were forced to migrate to find water and food to save their livestock. As a result of the training that you supported, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Seffo was able to mitigate some of the impact of the drought. The PTA was gifted 300 ETB or 30 dollars in 'seed money' to develop a creative plan to raise money to support the ongoing costs to maintain and improve their school. The PTA chose to use the land surrounding the school to plant wheat. Having easy access to water on site at the school allowed the PTA to irrigate the wheat crop by hand. The result was impressive. The seed funding grew tenfold into five quintiles of wheat worth over 3,000 birr. Ato Shiferaw, PTA Chairperson explained with a smile, "The PTA worked hard to save the wheat in order to have money for the school, but we also did it to be an example and show others that irrigation is worthwhile. Now they believe us."

The PTA is already putting the money to good use and has purchased tree seedlings to replace those that did not survive last year's dry season. Further plans include buying roof sheets and cement for a school administration block. With ongoing support from imagine1day, the community has committed to gather local sand and stone and to contribute their labour for the addition. In the next month imagine1day will provide additional water management training and do frequent follow-ups to keep the community motivated and mobilized.

so much more to come

The community of Seffo holds a special place in the hearts of the imagine1day team. In 2009 we will continue to build the capacity of Seffo's teachers by providing further training and development. Our work with the PTA will include the implementation of a micro-irrigation system that will allow them to plant a vegetable garden on the school grounds and develop another source of income for their school. We will continue to monitor the impact of your investment and six months from now we will share more stories about this incredible community.

Thank you for helping us help the community of Seffo Maialekti believe in a new future.

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celebrate one year with Seffo

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 project 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.

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