The school works from two campuses, some 10km west of Addis Ababa city centre. The first, the Old Land, houses grades 1 – 4; the second, the New Land, houses grades 5 – 8 and the farm. When I visited in December 2006, I was struck by how lush and green both sites were. They seemed to offer a haven of peace once we left the crowded main street and made our way down a winding and tree lined dirt road.
In the academic year 2011/2012 there were a total of 1221 children at the school. The admissions criteria are firstly, orphans and semi-orphans and, secondly, children whose parents are unemployed or in the lowest income bracket, and therefore unable to afford the costs associated with public education. Asfaw Yimeru started the school in the late 1950’s. Since then 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. Our contributions continue to help make this work possible. The Fund is a UK registered charity. It has no paid staff and is run on an entirely voluntary basis.
The school is rated as one of the best in the country. In the Fund’s Annual Report 2012 this high success is attributed to keeping class numbers under 30, providing extra help for those who need it, a very special physical environment, financial and moral support, dedicated teachers and, I think most importantly, pupils who know that this is their one hope to rise out of poverty and make something of their lives.
The “Child and Family Aid Programme” was designed to replace institutional care with a home and family-based environment. Thousands of needy children and their families have been helped. This year 541 families have been established in income generating activities of their choice, giving them independence in an unforgiving and competitive environment.
The wonderful Farm is thriving. It is a source of fresh milk and vegetables for the Child Aid families. There are 60 head of cattle and production of spinach, carrots, cabbage, beetroot, lettuce, onion, garlic and local delicacies such as kitma, gesha and koba. The farm also acts as a demonstration farm providing opportunities for those who have the space to learn how to grow and manage crops. One of the highlights of our visit was Asfaw’s giving us a tour of the farm when he explained its history of ups and downs. I thought of this when I read in the Fund’s report that water to the Old Land had been cut off for months because of massive road-works. Asfaw and his team routinely face difficulties unimaginable to us, but their determination to ensure these children have a chance in life helps them find solutions.
The children I saw in 2006 were full of joy and enthusiasm. They obviously loved the school. The children appeared confident and friendly. They spoke English well and were eager to talk with us. They study English and Amharic, not only two languages but also two totally different alphabets. Reading about their extra-curricular activities in the Fund Report, I was reminded of them. I found the clubs fascinating. They are: Anti-Aids Club; Literature, Art, Music and Drama Club; Environmental Protection and Beautification Club; Civics Club; Sports Club; Girls’ Club; and Child Rights Club. Interestingly the Anti-Aids Club has the most members. It is worth your reading the full “Asra Hawariat School Fund Report 2012” (all two pages) to find out about these clubs in detail. Look for copies at the back of the church. And do, please, speak to me if you’ve any comments or queries. I won’t know all the answers but love to talk about Ethiopia and the school.