The Opening of Debra Zeit

It’s magic time again. We take a dead shell of a building, and within weeks we make it a school. And nothing breathes more life and vitality than a functioning school.

It’s an amazing transformation – especially in the short week or two it takes in Ethiopia, when all is going well.

This is the school in Debre Zeit, due to open in the first week of October. Malaku is our magician, the man who oversees the work on our facilities. He’s the one who made the Mojo school ready for business last year.

You’ll notice how beautiful our yard is. Sadly, this will have to be trimmed back from its wild beauty. We’ll try to keep the morning glories.

Back to Ethiopia

Kindergarteners getting some guidance from Haregwa, their teacher. Look at those big smiles!


Simenyesh in first grade practices her cursive writing.

8/14: I’m back in Ethiopia, and I visit the Tsegereda School in Shiro Meda right away. This is the best part of any trip, the best part of my work. It gives me hope. The kids are so bright-eyed and cheerful.

Visiting the school in summer is strange. It’s rainy season, so it’s cold and gloomy. Everyone is in layers. Kids and teachers gather together for warmth.

Summer school is half-day. The first-graders are preparing for second grade. Today they’re studying their multiplication tables and cursive writing in our alphabet. The kindergarteners are working on simple words that begin with various letters in their own alphabet. As usual, my entrance after an absence sparks chaos. ‘Kuch balu, kuch balu,’ I have to say. ‘Sit down!’ Everyone wants a hug. The teachers are so patient with the kids, and with me.

Dana