Celebrating Success – Graduation ceremony #Imagine1day #UNICEF #Tigray, Ethiopia – Newsletter

 

 

In a vibrant and heartwarming ceremony, Imagine1day, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Tigray Regional Office, celebrated the graduation of graduates from the Transitional Project Document. The event took place at the Mekelle Coordination Office within the Mekelle Seba Kare IDP Camp. The ceremony was graced by delegates from regional and zonal government bureaus, UNICEF, camp coordinators, partners, graduates’ families, and honored guests.

 

 

Zufan Meseret, Child Protection for GBV program at UNICEF Tigray coordination office says, “Congratulations to all the graduates on this remarkable achievement! We are proud to announce that Imagine1day, in collaboration with UNICEF, has successfully implemented numerous projects, including this one. Our continued partnership aims to drive meaningful change and transform many more lives. Together, we are making the world a better place through collaboration.”

 

Among the scenes of the “My Home Project” Graduation

The “My Home Project” marked a significant milestone with graduates successfully completing programs in various professional fields, including skill development, the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), and World Taekwondo. Here are some key highlights:

• Taekwondo Triumphs: A boy and a girl from the graduates showcased their remarkable skills at the regional level World Taekwondo competition, hosted by the Tigray Taekwondo Federation. Both earned bronze medals, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
• Academic Achievements: Three top-scoring students were recognized for their outstanding performance in completing the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) and successfully transitioning to neighboring public schools. Their achievements highlight the effectiveness of the ALP in preparing students for further education.
• Support for Adolescent Girls: Nine adolescent girls from the Women and Girls Safe Space (WGSS) were awarded scholastic materials for ranking 1-3 in their respective grade levels. This support is crucial in encouraging their continued educational journey.

 

• Celebratory Performances: The graduates showcased their diverse talents through captivating performances, making the ceremony an unforgettable experience.
• Highlights included:
• Drama and Traditional Dances: Graduates performed engaging dramas and vibrant traditional dances, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
• Poetry Recitations: Graduates delivered heartfelt poetry recitations, showcasing their creativity and command of language.
• Taekwondo Showcases: Demonstrations of taekwondo skills highlighted the physical prowess and discipline of the graduates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Libabe Gebaw, regional program Manager at imagine1day Tigray Coordination Office says, “The event was a celebration of resilience, talent, and the transformative power of education and skill development. Imagine1day, along with its partners, remains committed to supporting the educational and personal growth of these remarkable individuals.”

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate these achievements, Imagine1day continues to work towards creating more opportunities for children and young adults in the region. We are proud of our graduates and look forward to witnessing their future successes.

 

Thank you for your continued support!

**Imagine1day – Empowering Education, Building Futures**

For more information, visit our www.imagine1day.org or contact us at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Inauguration of Chewber Primary and Middle School

Imagine1day, in collaboration with FCDO and UNICEF, inaugurated Chewber Primary and Middle School. The event was attended by guests from the UNICEF Amhara field office, Imagine1day’s country and regional offices, Adiarkay Woreda administration, Amhara universities forum representatives, community members, teachers, and students. The project includes the construction of two blocks of classrooms, each containing four classes, two blocks of gender-segregated latrines with four pits each, and a block for the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) room. All facilities are fully furnished with the necessary materials.

Among scenes of the inauguration

         

 

 

 

 

A girl empowered against illiteracy – Eysa’s story

“My world expanded beyond the confines of looking after the cattle with the opportunity to education KFW, UNICEF, and imagine1day have provided me,” says Eysa Hussain 13 years old Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) student at Gonita Birka ALP center in Amibara district of Zone-3, Afar region.

Eysa was born and raised in Zone 3 of the Afar region. She has eight siblings. She is fortunate she is the last child in her family for she is the only one who gets the chance to schooling.

Eysa says, “All of my siblings are married at an early age and none of them have attended school. Our life was all about our cattle. We knew nothing about education until the ALP started in our community. I feel so lucky I am attending the ALP. What is more, It is a privilege the ALP is condensed learning of three grades in a year, which enables me to compensate years I was out of school. I am very grateful to KFW, UNICEF, and imagine1day for this opportunity that brought a remarkable turn to my life.”

Eysa is no longer just a shepherdess whose world revolves around the open fields and forests of Afar region. She is chasing her dream of the greatest destined future with the opportunity for education knocked on her door.

“School has become my sanctuary, a place where I made lots of friends while gaining knowledge. I am able to write and read well within just months. The scholastic material provision which is part of the ALP has helped me to focus only on my education without any worry.”

Eysa’s favorite subject, the Afar Language, serves as a homage to her heritage, while her ambitions soar to new heights as she sets her sights on becoming a doctor—a beacon of hope and healing for the women in her community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensuring children’s right to education in conflict setting

“Beyond rescuing me from being an out-of-school child and my academic achievements, the Accelerated Primary Learning Program (APLP) has provided me with a sense of belonging, resilience, and community engagement. I now am proficient in reading simple words, counting numbers, and identifying mathematical symbols, which aligns with my dream of becoming a journalist,” says Bontu a 13 years of age APLP student at Bata Basaka Primary School in Wayu Tuka district, in East Wollega, Oromia.

Bontu, aged 13, hails from a family that was internally displaced in 2022 from Leka Dulacha District of East Wallaga zone, Oromia due to conflict. Despite being at an age where she should have been in grade 7, Bontu was deprived of her right to education due to displacement and economic hardship.

Bontu says, “My family’s impoverished situation meant that I often had to forego schooling to assist in generating income, watching over neighbor’s children while my family engaged in daily labor. I was so sad that I didn’t go to school.”

Bontu’s dreams of education seemed distant until the back-to-school campaign during International Education Day in 2023, organized by Imagine1day in Wayu Tuka, provided her with an opportunity.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to FCDO, UNICEF and imagine1day for providing me an opportunity to schooling. The day I enrolled in the APLP was the happiest day of my life. My teachers, and all the school environment are supportive,” says Bontu.

The fact that the APLP curriculum was tailored to the students’ needs, focusing on basic literacy and numeracy skills through interactive and activity-based learning methods has helped Bontu to perform well in her education. She has also attended Life Skills Training.

Bontu’s progress since joining the program has been remarkable. In just four months, she has transformed from being an out-of-school child to a confident learner. She is thriving academically.

Bontu says, “I have formed teams with peers who share my aspirations and I am actively engaged in my education. English is my favorite subject and I want to be a journalist while I complete my education. I am grateful to FCDO, UNICEF, and imagine1day once again for giving me the opportunity that paved the way for a brighter future for me and my family.”

 

 

 

 

 

Girls’ education as a means to end Harmful Traditional Practices (HTP)

“Thanks to the EU, UNICEF, and imagine1day my long-lived dream of going to school is

realized after years of longing,” says Selamawit Azmach a 15-year-old Accelerated Education Program (AEP) student in Gato Yano Primary School in Derashe district of South Ethiopia region, Ethiopia.

Selamawit was raised by her stepmother following her parents’ divorce when she was only three. Life wasn’t easy for her. She was the one who did all the household chores instead of going to school like her peers.

Selamawit says, “My stepmother was so hard on me. She never treated me and my half-siblings equally. She let me stay at home and support her while sending her kids to school. I used to feel so tired out of working the whole day. I cried all the time that I had nobody to care about me when she beat me. I never imagined that I would get the chance to education.”

The EU project of UNICEF Imagine1day has been implementing changed Selamat’s reality for the better at the time she didn’t expect.

“I moved back to my birthplace to live with my grandparents while my father died. My grandparents also denied me going to school as they didn’t know the value of education and there was a belief in the community that schooling is only for boys. I was supporting my grandparents by selling ‘Cheka’ local alcoholic drink and I faced harassment. I had even tried to commit suicide but imagine1day workers convinced my grandparents to send me to school. I now am happily attending my education,” says beaming Seamawit.

Selamawit and her fellow girls in the Gato Yano community have broken the vicious cycle of illiteracy.  None food Item (NFI), scholastic material, and sanitary pad provision are also part of the project.

Selamawit says, “I don’t want to waste this opportunity I got after all the adversities I have experienced. I am studying hard and I ranked second in my class. I want to be a role model for girls in remote areas like my community. I want to be a girls’ rights activist while I complete my education.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff Profile: Mesfin Astatike

Mesfin Astatike Ejigu

National Education Program Manager, Imagine I Day International

Certified International Project Manager (CIPM)

Phone: +251911712804

Email: [email protected]

 

Mesfin has over 16 years of experience working in various government and non-government organizations, managing rural and urban development and emergency program interventions, particularly in the education and livelihood sectors. In addition to his managerial roles, he has been deeply involved in capacity development, advising, and assisting government sectors, local entities, and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) at both national and regional levels in Ethiopia.

Currently, Mesfin is the North Ethiopia Education Program Manager for Imagine 1 Day International Organization. In this role, he oversees and manages education programs at the national level in Ethiopia, focusing on both development and emergency contexts. He collaborates closely with government agencies, NGOs, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective strategies aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of education during both stable and crisis situations. Mesfin provides leadership, coordination, and technical expertise to ensure the successful implementation of education programs, aligning them with national and regional policies and priorities.

Driven by a strong belief that education is fundamental to individual and societal development, Mesfin holds an MA in Educational Planning and Leadership from Adama Science & Technology University (ASTU) and an MA in Sociology from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). His undergraduate degree is in Educational Planning and Management from Addis Ababa University (AAU). Additionally, he is a Certified International Project Manager (CIPM) from the American Project Management Academy.