EU Project Consultative Workshop Sparks Regional Collaboration for Change Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz, Ethiopia

In a dynamic step toward advancing inclusive development, Imagine1day, in collaboration with UNICEF and regional government stakeholders, hosted a powerful EU Project (Restoring Education services to conflict-affected women, men, girls, and boys at IDPs and host communities in Dangur, Dibate, Bulen, and Mandura Woredas of Metekel Zone, Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia) Consultative Workshop on June 21, 2025, at Bilendana Hotel in Assosa. With 31 participants representing regional, zonal, and woreda offices of education, women, and social affairs, the workshop brought together voices across levels to assess the progress of EU-funded interventions and set a course for a more impactful future.

The workshop opened with passionate remarks from Mr. Yasabu Birkineh, imagine1day’s Strategic Partnerships Director, who reaffirmed the transformative power of collaboration. His message was echoed by Mr. Mohammed Osman, Vice Head of the Benishangul Gumuz Regional Education Bureau, who emphasized the region’s shared responsibility in uplifting education and women’s empowerment through unified action. UNICEF’s representative Mr. Tefera lauded Imagine1day’s unwavering dedication to reaching Ethiopia’s most underserved communities, calling the organization an example of effective civil society leadership. He also expressed UNICEF’s appreciation for Imagine1day’s dedication to going the extra mile despite limited resources and for demonstrating strong cost-effectiveness in project implementation.

Presentations from Imagine1day’s team, led by Jemal and Workineh, offered a transparent and insightful look into the status of EU-funded projects. Successes were celebrated—from strengthened community engagement to milestone completions. The roadmap for Year III was laid out with urgency and purpose, emphasizing the exit strategy, sustainability, accountability, and shared ownership.

Through open dialogue, stakeholders mapped out strategies to improve implementation, clarified roles, and shared local solutions to common challenges. The workshop served not only as a review of progress but as a catalyst for deeper collaboration. Participants committed to stronger networks, practical follow-up plans, and a renewed sense of urgency in advancing education and social equity in the region.

As the day concluded, the atmosphere was one of unity and hope. A task force will now drive implementation of the action plan, with the next consultative meeting already on the horizon. Together—with government leaders, NGOs, and communities the region is stepping forward with conviction to ensure no child is left behind and every voice is heard. The EU Project is not just a program; it is a movement toward lasting transformation.

The EU Project Joint Monitoring Visit and Review Meeting was held across all six regions of implementation: Tigray, Oromia, South Ethiopia, Benishangul Gumuz, Amhara, and Afar. This initiative aimed to assess the progress and impact of the EU-funded project, which is enhancing access to safe, quality, and inclusive education for children in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach communities. The monitoring visit brought together government education bureaus, UNICEF teams, and Imagine1day program staff to jointly observe implementation progress and engage with schools, teachers, and communities, ensuring alignment with project objectives and community needs.

Following the monitoring visits, a review meeting was held with all stakeholders to reflect on the findings, share achievements, discuss challenges, and agree on action points to enhance project outcomes. Imagine1day and UNICEF presented progress data and facilitated dialogue on community participation and government ownership for sustainability. The joint mission strengthened collaboration among partners, reaffirming the collective commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and build a better future through the power of education.

 

Story: His Dreams Endure: Medihanit’s Battle for Tomorrow

“If the support from EU in collaboration with UNICEF and Imagine1day ends, I don’t know what will happen. We have no one else. No home to go back to. If I can’t stay in school, I might lose everything again. Please help me stay in school. I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to make my family proud — even if they’re not here anymore,” says 14-year-old Medihanit Balo grade 3 student at Azarti Kitili primary school in Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia.

Medihanit was just nine years old when his world changed forever. A brutal conflict erupted in his home village in Azarti Kebele, part of the Metekel Zone in Ethiopia’s Benishangul Region, forcing thousands to flee. In the chaos, Medihanit witnessed the unthinkable — the death of his mother, father, and brother.

Medhanit says, “I lost my whole family in one day. Only my sister and I survived. I remember everything. The sound of gunfire, the way we ran, how my sister held my hand so tight… I was terrified.”

With no time to grieve, the two siblings fled on foot, walking nearly five kilometers under the scorching sun until they reached the Kitili IDP site. Hungry, frightened, and homeless, they hoped only for safety.

That is when Imagine1day, through the EU-funded UNICEF project it has been implementing, found them.

“I am very grateful to EU, UNICEF and Imagine1day for all their support. They created for me access to Accelerated Education Program, they gave us blankets, clothes, school books, and even someone to talk to,” Medihanit recalls. “It was the first time I felt like someone saw me. The support I received went beyond material needs. Through psychosocial support and life skills training, I began to rebuild my emotional world. Slowly, the nightmares faded. My anxiety softened. And for the first time since the attack, I walked into a classroom again.”

Now in Grade 3, Medihanit is making friends, excelling in class, and dreaming big — of one day becoming a doctor.

“School is where I feel strong,” Medhanit says. “I love solving math problems. When I get an answer right, it feels like I can do anything. I want to help people. Maybe someone like me — a boy who has no parents but still wants to live.”

 

 

Story: The Boy Who Wouldn’t Give Up: Umer’s Story of Survival and Hope

“I thought my education was over. I thought my life was over. But then the EU-funded found me, and gave me hope,” 13-year-old Umer Mehammed grade 3 student at Kitili Primary School in Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia.

Umer’s family—his mother, younger sister, and older brother—were displaced in 2021, forced to leave everything behind as conflict tore through their community in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. As they fled to find safety in the Benishangul Region’s Dangur Woreda, tragedy struck again.

“I lost my father in the war. We were forced to flee our home in Horo Guduru Wollega. I was just nine years old. We didn’t know if we would survive. We just kept moving. We were in a car, trying to escape. There was an accident. I lost my left leg. My mother and sister survived—but everything changed that day.”

The accident left Umer with a permanent physical disability. The loss of his father, the trauma of fleeing home, and the physical pain of his injury combined to push the young boy into a deep emotional darkness.

“When we arrived at the Kitili IDP Site, I thought it was the end for me,” he admits. “I thought I would never go back to school. I thought I would never be happy again.”

But then—something remarkable happened.

“Imagine1day found me,” he says, and a small smile creeps across his face. “They were working with UNICEF and the European Union. They didn’t just see a boy with a missing leg. They saw a student. They saw my dream.”

With the help of the EU-funded UNICEF project, Imagine1day provided Umer with access to Accelerated Education Program (AEP)-(grade 1 and 2), scholastic materials, non-food items (NFIs), and a pair of crutches. Most importantly, they offered him psychosocial support and life skills training.

“They gave me access to AEP, books, pens, a school bag—and they gave me courage,” Umer says. “The day I walked into school with my crutches and sat in a classroom again, I felt like a human being. Like I mattered.”

Now back in Grade 3, Umer has rediscovered the one thing the conflict tried to take from him: hope.

“I love mathematics,” he says proudly. “One day, I will become a teacher. I will help children who think their dreams are over, just like people helped me.”

Despite his progress, Umer remains aware of how fragile his situation is.

“If the support stops, I will face another challenge,” he says, looking down at his hands. “I still need school supplies. I still need counseling. Without them, it will be hard to stay focused on my dream.”

Still, he chooses to hope—and to dream out loud.

“I want to support my family one day. I want to stand in front of a classroom and say, ‘I made it.’ Because of the help I got, I believe I can.”

“Thank you for all your support but please continue to stand with me,” he says. “Because I have so much more to do. I want to live—not just survive.”

 

Staff Bio: Moges Woldu, Zonal EiE Program Coordinator

Moges has been a dedicated member of Imagine1day since 2023, initially serving as a Program officer before being promoted to Zonal EiE program coordinator in January 2025.

He has completed primary school in Manbuk primary and secondary school at Chagni Secondary School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Jima University, and MSC in Project planning and management in Assosa University.

With over 23 years of leadership experience across government and educational sectors, he has held various impactful roles, including teacher, school principal, cluster supervisor, district education planner, in different position with in Metekel zone education department. His leadership capabilities were further demonstrated in positions such as Head of the Youth League and Chief Cabinet Member in Dangur.

He is recognized for his flexibility, reliability, and excellent time management and communication skills. His strong work ethic, enthusiasm, commitment and self-motivation enable him to tackle challenges effectively and drive meaningful change in his community.