Here's the Plan...

Do Ability

     What I most enjoy about the project is that it was not my, or any other westerner's, idea. This was proposed to me in unison by the elders of the village. Their only interest is to further the opportunity of their children. With that being said, the men in this village have promised me that they will contribute themselves to the project if we can finance it. They will contribute some basic materials as well as labor. This aspect of beneficiary ownership is the most important element in a development project. These people know what it is they need to better their lives more than any industrialized world citizens ever could.

Readiness

     Engage Now Africa has built many schools and has agreed to take on this project. They will be signing the contracts with the local government for the school to be built as early as this month. My best friend in Ethiopia, Degefa, will be responsible for the construction of the school. Degefa grew up in the same district as Gembeltu. He knows the merchants, government officials, and contractors in the area. He will be assembling a team of community members from Gembeltu to oversee the materials purchased and construction of the building.

     We also have a small team of volunteer university students who have been working very hard toward making this project a reality. We also have Engage Now Africa acting as our financial infrastructure. All of the money we have raised is being held by Engage Now until the money is transferred. They may begin wiring money over as early as this month to begin construction as we continue to fundraise.

Impact

     This school will make a difference. By creating an appropriate environment of education, the children attending this school will be more competitive. There are high rates of urbanization in Ethiopia. As a result, it is very likely that many of these children will grow up and move to urban cities. With very high unemployment rates in Ethiopia, it will be crucial that these children get a valuable education so that they can make a living in a positive way.

     After the construction of the school is complete, the responsibility of the school will be handed over the local government officials. This will mean that the teachers who have thus far been volunteering will begin to receive a monthly paycheck and the school will have a modest annual budget.

Propriety

     What could be more appropriate than a project that was not initially proposed by westerners? People in this village came together because they knew that a foreigner was coming to their village. I, on the other hand, was simply exploring on my day off. They came together because they are monetarily poor, but they would like to invest in the future of their children. The elders said that if only we finance the school, they will do what they can to build it.

Sustainability

     To ensure sustainability we will be using a very simple local design for the school. Local contractors will build the school which will make repairs very manageable. Since the local government will be taking over responsibility for the school when it is completed, there will be an annual budget for any necessary repairs and improvements.