Chris Sharp visits Ethiopia and Kenya

Chris made the intrepid journey to the project area in March 2008, a 2-day drive from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. His objectives were to meet with the participating communities, CIFA staff, and government authorities, as well as monitor progress with The CIFA Trust funded schools project. The CIFA Ethiopia office is in the small town of Moyale, and Chris also met with the CIFA Kenya team across the border.

In 2006, CIFA Ethiopia had, with the local people, identified education and water as the two most pressing needs in the area. Ethiopia has one of the lowest primary school enrolment rates in the world, and the nomadic pastoralists in this part of the country are the most marginalised. Children from remote communities have to walk for an average of 17km each way to get to existing schools, and this is impossible for the youngest pupils aged 7-10. Girls especially are unable to access school as parents cannot risk young girls walking such distances on their own.

Building (Grades 1-4) primary schools at 'satellite' villages was identified as a solution. CIFA’s aim is to build five such schools, and to date we have secured funding for two. Chris visited Tille Mado school, which was nearing completion less than 4 months after the funds were sent to Ethiopia. A temporary school structure occupied the site, attended by 50 children and, following completion of the new school, enrolment has shot up to 140.

In the words of a community representative "we see education as the way out of poverty".

"This was a very worthwhile trip which strengthened ties between The Trust and local CIFA staff. It also gave me an insight and a better understanding of the area and the people who live there. I am looking forward to my next visit at the end of this year."
Chris Sharp