Meeting: Date: January 08, 2022; Time: 9:00 AM USA EST (5 PM Ethiopian Time, or  11 ስዓት )

Zoom link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/97905788728
Meeting ID: 979 0578 8728

Moderators: Abebu Kassie and Abebe Kebede, Ethiopian Educators Without Borders 

 Presenters:

Elias Girma: Consequences of the current war and ethnic conflicts on the Ethiopian education sector (9 to 9:15 AM)

Tamru Belay: Adaptive technology for blind people (9:15 to 9:30 AM)

Hawani Negussie: Early Childhood Education Ethiopia (9:30 to 9:40 AM)

Discussion: Moderators and the audience will ask the presenters (9:40 to 10:10 AM)

Announcements: 10:10 to 10:20 AM

Abebe Kebede: ESAN and Ethiopian Educators Without Borders (Provides a summary of the 2022 book project)

Ayenachew Aseffa: The Ethiopian Diaspora Service Initiative (Gives brief overview of the upcoming conference)

Summary of consequences of the war and ethnic conflict on the Ethiopian education sector

• More than 3.5 million students are out of school
• 3,200 schools destroyed
• ~7000 schools partially damaged
• 7 universities are out of service
• More than 100,000 teachers cannot perform their duties

Most affected areas include West and South Oromia (Wollega & Guji), Tigray as a whole, Benishangul Gumiz ( Metekel & Kamashi), Amhara region (several zones), Afar region – Half parts and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region. To re-build, re-open and start the re-functioning of these schools and universities, the Ethiopian Ministry of Education is calling on local communities, Ethiopian Diaspora, International Partners, Donors and Civic Society. The only way out from this catastrophe  is to seek the solution together and build a strong community.  Let’s be part of the solution and be the light for millions of children who are currently in the dark. 

Current draft proposal for book project 2022

AASDO-ESAN Books, Computers, and Educational Supplies for Schools in Conflict Areas 

Promotors: Dr. Abebe Kebede,  Dr. Bisrat Aklilu, Abebu Kassie

The  AASDO Mission has been very active in securing books for schools in Asella-Arsi areas. Following this experience, we have expanded our work to include many schools, colleges and universities in collaboration with the Ethiopian Scientific and Academic Network (ESAN) community. Universities and schools added to our project include Gondar, Debretabor , Debrebirhan, Ashuda schools in Gojam, and Wurgesa Wello.  

At this time, the need for books, computers and school supplies is greater than ever. Over 3.2 million children are out of school in Wellega, Arsi, Metekel, Shewa, Wollo, Afar, Gondar and Tigray. In addition, several universities and referral hospitals are damaged or destroyed. The playgrounds and the libraries are all destroyed or damaged.  The problem is overwhelming, however with your help we can envision schools functioning back to where they were before the conflict.

Our plan for 2022 is to ship 20 containers of books, supplies, computers, balls and other items. We are working closely with Ministry of Education Directorate,  Entoto Technical School, First Schools, University of Gondar, Debre Birhan University, Semera University, Wollo University, Woldia University and  Mekdela Amba University to tackle the issue.

Your donation to this project will impact more than one million students, their schools and their communities.  As the saying goes Oceans Began With a Drop of Water, or the great old Ethiopian saying for One Man 50 Lemons become a Load, but for 50 people they are like ornaments; let’s help each other in this large scale project. We affectionately called this Abiy-Lemma Ethiopia Book project named after two young Ethiopian leaders who inspired this project.

Tentative Beneficiaries

Semara-Afar Schools   (Semera University)

Gondar-Amhara  Schools (University of Gondar)

Mekele-Tigrai Schools, (Mekele University)

Assosa-Metekel Schools (Assosa University)

Nekemte-Wellega Schools (Wellega University)

Debre Birhan-Shewa Schools (Debre Birhan University)

Dessie –Wollo Schools  (Wollo University)

Wollo University, Dessie

Weldia University, Weldia

Mekdela Amba University

And others