Building a School in Ekodaga

Ekodaga
May 9: Construction comes to an end this week on Tesfa's seventh school in the village of Ekodaga. This will be the small farming village's first school. The Selam School, a successful partnership with the Resurrection Catholic Parish in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be opening in the summer of 2010. It will serve 50 village children with a kindergarten education, and 150 children from the region with nonformal primary education. 'Nonformal' education is formatted to adapt to the needs of farming families and of children who arrive with varying degrees of literacy. In the long term, this project will also endeavor to provide adult education for parents, and to bring light and water to the school and community. Cien Keilty-Lucas, Minnesota contractor and Master's student in public health, spent four months supervising the construction project. He writes about his experience:

Building a School
by Cien Keilty-Lucas

A whip cracks and an afternoon wind whistles up the hill side. Twelve chiqa- (or mud-) toting donkeys lumber toward the school. The wind exhales an ominous misty breath, predicting afternoon showers. With a clattering of hooves atop a newly cement-paved classroom floor, the donkey train squeezes into one of the seven school rooms. Fellow workers usher the animals to where the mud is mixed with hay, and water. Leme and Mesfin distract one of the animals with a steady "whoooooosh" and a handful of grass. As the animal impatiently sways, the two massage nearly 80 pounds of chiqa off the donkey's mud-caked back and drop it onto a light bed of hay with a plop.

The chiqa process has been ongoing for the last month. In total, the people of Ekodaga – and of course those donkeys – have schlepped tens of thousands of pounds of mud from nearly a kilometer away to form the smooth and straight walls of the school. The entire build has taken three months of continuous labor by upwards of 35 people a day. The building of Ekodaga's first school has been a testimony to the incredible worth ethic, commitment, and determination of the people of Ekodaga. The community works, sings, and even drinks together (usually just on Sundays) from 8am to 5pm seven days a week. Together, the community reformed a rocky hillside, built a waist-high rock wall that wraps around the entire perimeter, and perched 5,000 square meters of finished school atop the carefully sculpted hilltop. The school will assist men, women and children alike achieve educational betterment for years to come, and I believe the building process itself will resonate within the Ekodaga community just as far into the future.

During my time working with the Ekodaga villagers, I have witnessed a tightening of the community, as well as a growth of dedication to the school. Before the build, the villagers relied on one another as neighbors and co-workers. Even the school project seemed just business at first. But as the build progressed, I saw an immense shift in solidarity and care among the community. When we asked for volunteers, toddlers and village elders alike volunteered and diligently worked. When one member of the community is ill, others pitch in to help purchase medical care and transportation. There is a pronounced cooperation with one another in sharing work. Everybody gets to work on the school. There is a constant dialogue about the school's importance for not only the children but all of Ekodaga. The school has not only become emblematic of the community's hard work and dedication, but the community's interest in personal growth.

Tsegereda Visit

I visited Tsegereda school during my trip to Addis Ababa in early October. Here are some photographs of the latest intake of children at the school - they were very happy!

Thomas Redmond - Treasurer, Tesfa Foundation UK

Minneapolis Event

Yesterday we held an event in downtown Minneapolis to remember Leeza five years after her passing, and to celebrate everything we’ve accomplished. It was called the Five Schools Benefit in tribute to our central achievement: five schools in five years, over 700 children served, and all for about $150,000. In this photo, we’re listening to members of the University of Minnesota Women’s Track Team talk about Team Tesfa and about the teen girls in Ethiopia. You’ll notice Sophia in the back serving coffee Ethiopian style. And the towering figure in front is Patrick McGrann, head of the Minnesota non-profit, Kitegang. Patrick has been to Shiro Meda to fly kites with our children. He spoke about the experience and about the hope that small non-profits like ours represent.

Dana

Anthony's Fundraiser

Last night, 8 year-old Anthony held another fundraiser at his house. He cooked again, this time preparing mash daal and kadai aloo with rice for his guests. (!) It was a beautiful evening in Minneapolis, and we sat in the backyard as we ate. Anthony came around with his home-made donation box after dinner, collecting for the Shiro Meda school, where his pen-pal Ermias attends school. I’m really impressed with Anthony’s commitment -- and with his cooking.

Dana

On May 17, Art Aid International hosted its second annual wine tasting and art auction fundraiser for Tesfa schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Stephanie Timmerman, (featured above with kids in Shiro Meda in February) is a Grand Rapids artist and the founder of Art Aid. She’s been twice to Ethiopia to work with the children in our schools. Her specialty: art lessons in which the children create beautiful paintings, large and small. Some of this art was up for auction in order to keep school programs alive and well. Stephanie has a real talent with the kids, and she’s very devoted to their well-being. Soon, we’ll have a gallery of children’s art up on-line. Watch for it.

So what’s Team Tesfa? Team Tesfa is a team for young track and cross country runners who want to compete among the pros in Addis Ababa. It’s also a vehicle for the foundation to reach out to teenage girls who need a helping hand. These are girls who are separated from their parents or orphaned, who have no support unless they work in bars or as house servants, who often have to give up their education, who are vulnerable to sexual violence. We provide them with housing, education, stipends, and community. In back are (left to right) Meseret, Worke, and Askwal. Up front are (left to right) the team captain, Ijigu, and the team coach, Mr. Berhanu. Coach Berhanu is an old Navy man who competed and coached in a dozen sports. He stands about six and a half feet, and his hand completely envelopes yours in a crushing grip. He’s a very kind man, and he offered his services as a volunteer for months, until we could find the funds to pay him.

I’m back in Minnesota, checking in with everyone who has supported the work in Ethiopia. One of my favorite visits is with the Women’s Track team at the University of Minnesota. Coach Wilson and the women are very enthusiastic about supporting the teenage girls on Team Tesfa. They are writing letters to Ethiopia and brainstorming ways to raise money. I’m hoping they will be able to make a trip to meet the girls. Meanwhile, they invite me to a practice at the Field House. This is me with team captain, Julie Schwengler, national level competitor in the 800 meters.

Dana