In the middle of somewhere: Fundame Completion Party

"Hulet woof ba aundt dinga" - Two birds with one stone.

Background:

In under seven months, Ethiopia Reads has constructed two schools and one library in the Kembata region of southwest Ethiopia. On Friday April 12th, the Fundame schools completion was celebrated by villagers near and far as an example of what a community can achieve when supported and guided effectively. 286 different community members banded together to create a structure that will serve the entire population for generations. The school is beautiful today, and with regular maintenance those aesthetic qualities will persevere for decades.

Fundame's new addition to its present 1-8, will provide greatly needed KG education for Fundame's children, as well as provide a base for further Ethiopia Reads programming in the area. Previously, children entered first grade with little to no exposure to even the fidel (alphabet). Consequently students quickly fall behind and over the coming years problems dangerously snowball. High rates of students drop out at an early age, while over 70 percent of those that continue onward are able to meet the national testing standards. What that means, less then 5 percent of the regions students enrolled in government public schools graduate from university. Pre KG and KG education offers an opportunity to better enable Fundame's children to succeed.

The school is almost completely built of organic materials. A well constructed wooden frame supports the schools walls and corrugated roofing. Walls consist of split timbers with multiple coatings of cob and plaster on the interior and cob and cement on the exterior. Meanwhile the flooring is created by the construction of a large cement slap sitting on top of a foundation of tightly compacted boulders. Doors and windows are made locally by Kembatan artisans, and 100% of the organic material used in the school construction was procured within five kilometers of where the school sits.

The Celebration:

..was a beautiful occasion, broken into numerous moments that will resonate with participants well into the future . Nearly 120 shamegalees (village elders) traveled to to the build. The community, lead by these village elders, each pitched in a small amount to purchase additional food and beverages for the celebration. The community felt strongly that the project and its supporters deserved a gradios party for a significant amount of the community. Fundame is the 4th school I have built with Ethiopia reads, yet this sort of community initiative is a first for me. Ejigu and I were both greatly moved by the communities decision, and shared our admiration following the presentation of the additional food and drink. During the program, five village elders, unprompted, used the occasion to further galvanize the community. Each spoke to different aspects of the process of bringing the project to fruition, however each returned to a central theme; the building of a stronger Fundame community.

Through ER's unique participatory leadership, and assimilation into the community, temporary workers didn't feel the disconnect that permeates through almost all other "foreign development" work in the region. ER invited the community into most facets of the management of the build. We requested that offer their own advice on building the school, and how best to effectively succeed in its completion. Village elders, community leaders and school administrators often met with Ejigu and myself to discuss concerns as well as offer constructive feedback through the entire build process. Meanwhile the entire ER field team lead through action as well as command. Sallamnesh, Tamesgin, myself and even Ejigu on occasion, worked alongside the Fundame community in show of solidarity. More importantly still, is ER's efforts in providing first hand training in multiple types of organic construction. Workers left the site not only with salary in their pocket, but also with skills that they could use to garner future employment. Even in construction its not just about the end product, but the process that creates it.

The program lasted nearly 3 hours, culminating in the devouring of tens' of kilos of freshly prepared lamb. It was a remarkable showing of community support. Going into the Ethiopian rainy season, Fundame's future beneficiaries and ER alike can rest assured that the school is in good hands. A dedicated community and organization, that will work together well into the future to ensure the high quality of early child education in the area.

Once again I want to take the time to thank the Moss family for its tireless effort to organize multiple fundraisers, and connect like minds to make this project possible. Their love and support has gone beyond what any organization could ask of its donors, and all of us here at ER, Fundame, and Azedebo thank you deeply.

*big thanks also goes to my sis for assisting on the photos.

Sallamnesh and I installing the door before the party kicked off

Kololo successfully entertained the kids during the pre-party setup

Jossi prepping his meat knives for butchering

Village elders start flowing in

1 of 2 to be butchered. Isnt this guys wreath of flowers rad.

Ejigu was asked to assist in the first slaughter

The ER and Azedebo team takes a seat and waits for the procession of village elders.

Program begins

Ejigu talking through what else ER/ Tesfa do

One of the school administrators helped with the translations into the local language

Presentation of the construction skill training completion certificates

The ladies ready the ingredients and the fire

Trimming the skin. Not the fat. Thats where the flavors at.

Village elder takes time to talk about the importance of the community
assisting in the schools future admin and maintenance of the build. He
also shared some very humbling words about the ER work team.