January 2026 was a powerful month for Imagine1day, marked by meaningful milestones in education access, organizational growth, and global engagement. In Ethiopia and beyond, our work reflected the strength of community-led approaches and the impact of strong partnerships.
School Inauguration Marking the International Day of Education
On January 24, 2026, International Day of Education, Imagine1day celebrated more than a global call to learning; it marked a tangible milestone on the ground.
In Muja Kebelle, Hintalo Wereda, Southeastern Zone of the Tigray Region, Imagine1day, in partnership with Help to Life International and the local community, proudly inaugurated Fresweat Primary School. The newly constructed school was built to nurture hope, opportunity, and the next generation of learners.
The school infrastructure included:
• Four fully furnished classrooms
• A gender-segregated latrine block with handwashing facilities
• A fenced spring water source with seven faucets and a 10,000-liter water tanker
• Reading corners equipped with 293 books
This achievement reflected the power of partnership and community commitment. It reinforced the belief that when a school is built, futures are built with it.
Numeracy Research and Development (NRD) Project Launched in South Ethiopia Region
Imagine1day, in partnership with Link Education Ethiopia, and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Genesis Analytics, successfully launched the Numeracy Research and Development (NRD) Project in Arba Minch, South Ethiopia Region.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, South Ethiopia Regional Education and Finance Bureaus, Arba Minch Teachers College, Wolaita and Konso Zone Education and Administration Offices, and delegates from the project’s target woredas.
The event opened with a welcome address by Mr. Yasabu Berkneh, Chief Strategic Partnership Officer at Imagine1day, followed by an opening speech from Mr. Abiyot Demese, Head of the South Ethiopia Regional Education Bureau. Mr. Tom Pugh, NRD Program Director, presented an overview of the program. The project implementation model was jointly presented by Imagine1day and Link Education Ethiopia.
A panel discussion highlighted the importance of the NRD project, with participants expressing strong commitment and readiness to support effective implementation.
The NRD project was set to be implemented in 119 primary schools across Konso and Wolaita Zones. Imagine1day led implementation in 56 schools in Karat Zuria and Karat Town administrations, while Link Education Ethiopia implemented the project in 63 schools in Hombo and Offa Woredas.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Mrs. Meseret Bekele, a delegate from the Ministry of Education, who reaffirmed the Ministry’s strong support for the project’s success.
Strengthening Vision and Goal Setting to Accelerate Impact
During the month, Imagine1day conducted a focused internal training for its Country Office and regional teams to strengthen staff capacity in vision and goal setting, self-leadership, and strategic direction.
The training reflected on Imagine1day’s 18-year journey of impact, examined organizational strengths and boundaries, and built skills required to move forward with clarity and purpose. Emphasis was placed on aligning organizational vision and goals with personal vision and goals, as well as the dedication required to achieve them.
Through self-leadership sessions, participants explored how personal awareness, confidence, and intentional decision-making influenced goal achievement. The training reinforced that clear goals, informed choices, and disciplined follow-through were essential to overcoming both organizational and personal limitations.
Teams engaged deeply with Imagine1day’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, and strategic direction. Discussions highlighted how strong strategic management, effective impact measurement, partnership building, and a culture of continuous learning helped reduce risks, address gaps, and improve overall effectiveness.
This investment reaffirmed Imagine1day’s commitment to its team, recognizing that sustainable organizational growth depended on empowered and purpose-driven teams.
International Day of Education Virtual Salon
As part of International Day of Education celebrations, Imagine1day USA hosted a Virtual Salon on January 22, 2026. The interactive session explored how community-led approaches were transforming education and creating lasting impact for children and youth in Ethiopia.
Participants joined from across the globe to learn, connect, and engage in meaningful dialogue around education equity and locally driven solutions. The event strengthened global connections and amplified Imagine1day’s mission to ensure every child has access to quality education.
January 2026 stood as a month of collaboration, reflection, and progress. Through infrastructure development, capacity building, and global engagement, Imagine1day continued to advance its vision of transforming education through community leadership.