If you go to www.asrahawariat.org.uk and click on “The Asra Hawariat School Fund” you will see a welcome message and a picture of smiling Ethiopian children at the Asra Hawariat School, one of the charities we at Hampstead Parish Church support. As some of you know, I taught in Ethiopia from 1965 to 1967, and met John Hester there. He spent nine years in Ethiopia. His student, Asfaw Yimeru, established the Asra Hawariat School. John witnessed Asfaw, wrapped in the Ethiopian flag, throwing himself in front of the Emperor’s car to present a petition for land for his school. A dramatic beginning indeed, but that was not really the beginning. Asfaw had already been teaching local street kids under a tree in the churchyard next to the General Wingate School where he was a student. He had also arranged to give the food left from the meals of the Wingate boys to these street children.
Asfaw got his land and built his school for needy children. Early on he built an orphanage but later decided, because children need a family, to find foster families. In order to buy more land, Asfaw did a sponsored walk from Addis Ababa to Harar , a distance of 750 kms. He built a second school. The first, the ‘Old Land’ houses grades 1-4; the second, the ‘New Land’ houses grades 5 -8 and the farm. The farm is a valuable education tool and supplies food for foster families and those on the feeding programmes. Because the children did not have enough milk, Asfaw purchased cows. Any profits from the farm or dairy contribute toward the running of the school. The school and its related welfare activities have been able to assist more than 100,000 needy children from the poorest sections of Ethiopian society. For years now the school has achieved a 100% pass-rate in national exams, and been highly commended as one of the best schools in the country. It is a remarkable success story.
One reason for choosing this charity is that someone in our congregation has a connection with it. That is a good reason, but I think there are two reasons that make this charity uniquely worthy of support. They are best expressed on the website’s Welcome page, and I quote:
“We believe that this is a special project – or rather, range of projects – as it is an all Ethiopian affair, with a proven track record of over 40 years. It is an effective Ethiopian answer to Ethiopian problems, owned by the local people, and run by the man described by the New Internationalist (March 1973) as “one of the most remarkable men in Africa today.”
“Because the Asra Hawariat School Fund is a small charity without paid staff, we have extremely low running costs – usually less than 2% of income. So your money goes where it is needed most.
Revd Timothy Kinahan (Trustee)
There is a copy of The Asra Hawariat School Fund Annual Report 2011 at the back of the church. It includes some lovely photographs of the children. Interestingly there are more girls (664) than boys (557) none of whom could afford the costs associated with a government school. Priority is given to girls in the belief that such a bias significantly contributes to the socio-economic development of the country. The website adds “we are increasingly emphasizing education for girls, as they labour under greater disadvantage in both society and the work place.”
The report mentions in-service training for teachers and the reorganisation of the pedagogical centre and science laboratories during the year. Seven school clubs are listed with membership numbers noted: the anti-AIDS Club (210); the Literature, Art, Music and Drama Club (150); the Environmental Protection and Beautification Club(130); the Civics Club (125); Sports Club (90); the Girls’ Club (70); Child Rights Club (90).
The Child and Family Aid Programme is one of the major projects of the school. It includes the foster families who take in orphan children and also a number of poor families who are helped in cash and kind, and with help to establish themselves in various income-generating activities with a view to establishing economic independence. This year 541 families have been helped.
The Farm thrives, acting as a demonstration farm and as a source of fresh milk and vegetables for the Child Aid families. There are 60 head of cattle. There is a small greenhouse to grow fruit tree seedlings. These seedlings are then given out to students and their families to plant at home or in their neighbourhood. The Clinic provides treatments for minor infections. More emphasis is given to prevention than cure. Training in health issues is also offered.
The Library is an attractive building and is popular with the students but many books are out-of-date and need replacing.
Do have a look at the report. The faces of the children pictured should give you a good idea of what this school means to them.
My information is not all gleaned from my time there in the sixties. In December 2006 I went back to Ethiopia with John and our daughter and her husband. We visited with Asfaw. We walked the farm and saw every classroom. We commented to Asfaw on how well behaved, attentive and hard working the children were. Asfaw said, “They have to work hard. This is their one chance in life and they do not mean to give it up.” Our visits to the school left us moved and deeply impressed by what we had seen.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have, or to find an answer for you if I don’t know it. I love to talk about Ethiopia and Asra Hawariat.
Asra Hawariat School Report
Sara Hester