CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY: UPDATE ON ONE HOPE GARDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN ETHIOPIA

The One Hope Garden Primary school is one of the nine WFWP run schools that WFWP USA continues to support. This school has touched many lives, and continues to go above and beyond in caring for the students and the community. In their most recent update, we see one such example:

Mrs. Thseheyi, a 37 year old mother of nine (all daughters), shares how this school and the principal has greatly impacted her family. Years ago, when three of her daughters were in school, Mrs. Thseheyi had a disease, leaving their family in financial difficulty. Her eldest daughter offered to leave school and work as a housemaid in the Middle East to support the family. After agonizing over the decision, Mrs. Thseheyi consulted with the school principal Mrs. Bisrat. Mrs. Bisrat offered to personally support and take care of them, and advised that her daughter continue her studies. Now, many years later, the eldest daughter studies construction engineering at a national college. Her second eldest daughter completed 12 years of schooling and works in the Korean Embassy in Ethiopia, and the third daughter is in 9th grade. Mrs. Thseheyi is recovered from her disease, and is currently attending the One Hope School Literacy Class (read more about this below). She is incredibly grateful for One Hope Garden, which has personally cared for and transformed her family’s situation over many years.

In July 2017, the One Hope Garden Primary School in Ethiopia received a $13,000 donation from WFWP USA. They sent their deepest thanks for our contribution, which will help young students and illiterate women receive an education that they would otherwise not be able to. The funds will be used to sustain their on-going programs, pay the school rent, and for school management. Along with their thanks, they sent a report of their activities as of December 2016.

The report highlighted the primary school’s ongoing English, Amharic, and morality education that is provided via DVD, dance festivals including four traditional dances (Amhara, Oromo, Gurage, Tigre), and their school provided meals, which have been reduced to once a week due to budget restrictions.

The staff visited the students’ homes, to give us an idea of the conditions the children experience on a daily basis. Most houses are run down with no electricity or running water, and children often share a room with four to eight people.

The school also facilitates a foster family system. For these students, they offer a library school program so that the children have a place to read books, watch educational DVD’s, and enjoy occasional recreational activities. The principal, Mrs. Bisrat, also offers inspirational HerStory seminars to show the children their value and opportunities.

Additionally, the One Hope School offers a literacy class open to the local community. This class was created primarily for young women and mothers, but is open to anyone willing to learn. The program currently benefits 15 students from preschool age to those in their 60’s. Attendees often express their new-found confidence from what they have learned. Participant Mrs. Fantanesh happily shares “I used to make a thumbprint as my signature, but I now put my signature instead.”

This amazing school and staff is able to continually serve their community thanks to you. You have made a real, tangible, and emotional impact for the community, and in all of our nine schools throughout Africa. To not only retain the current programs, but to see them grow and flourish, consider making a recurring donation to these schools in Africa today. We know that in self-less hands as these, this program will continue to be a positive landmark and stomping ground for those who dearly need it.

Schools of Africa Donation Page:
https://wfwp.us/index.php?option=com_jdonation&view=donation&campaign_id=2&Itemid=1462

Background Information: The One Hope Garden Primary School began as a free non-formal literacy class in 1997 for impoverished students who could not afford schooling. By 2000, it had developed into a three-year program, and in 2001 was officially approved by the government as a primary school. It has provided free education for over 2,000 pupils and counting.