Rebuilding Hope Through Education: Mai-Misham Kristos Primary School

In the heart of Biherawu village, under the Enda-Chiwa local administration of Enda-Abba-Tsahima District, Tigray, stands Mai-Misham Kristos Primary School, a school with a rich history and an even greater mission. Established in 1921 by the government and community, the school has been a beacon of learning for generations. Yet, like many institutions in conflict-affected areas, it has endured devastating damage that has left hundreds of children without access to quality education.

The Challenge

The Enda-Chiwa community, home to over 16,000 people, includes 842 school-age children. For the 2024/25 academic year, only 395 children (207 of them girls) were enrolled at Mai-Misham Kristos Primary School. Sadly, 447 children—more than half of the community’s school-age population remained out-of-school due to the effects of conflict. The existing school infrastructure, which includes 8 classrooms, a small library, and a water catchment system, has sustained heavy damage.

With an average classroom size of 1:75, limited teaching materials, and inadequate facilities, both students and teachers face challenges that hinder learning and contribute to dropout rates.

The Project Purpose

This school construction project aims to restore hope and dignity by enhancing access, quality, and equity in education for children in Biherawu village. By rebuilding and expanding the school, we seek to increase enrollment, improve learning outcomes, and create a safe and inclusive learning environment.

What We Are Building

Two new classroom blocks (8 classrooms fully furnished)
A library block equipped with essential reading materials
A Menstrual Hygiene and Health (MHH) room with handwashing facilities, hygiene kits, and dignity materials for girls
A latrine block to ensure safe sanitation for students
A roof water catchment system to provide reliable access to clean water

Additionally, the project includes the provision of indoor and outdoor play equipment, desks, blackboards, and supplementary reading materials.

Transformational Outcomes

Through this initiative, the community envisions:

Reducing out-of-school children from 29% to 3%
Improving classroom ratios from 1:75 to 1:50
Lowering dropout rates from 9.45% to 1.5%
Raising completion rates from 83% to 95%
Boosting enrollment from 68% to 90%
Expanding early childhood education enrollment from 27% to 91%
Improving gender parity from 0.88 to 0.95
Elevating overall academic performance from 54% to 77%

Building Beyond Classrooms

This project is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about restoring opportunities, protecting dreams, and rebuilding futures. Every classroom, book, and hygiene kit represents a step towards giving children the chance to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

A Call to Action

Mai-Misham Kristos Primary School has been a symbol of resilience for over a century. With renewed investment and community partnership, it will once again become a thriving center of education. Together, we can ensure that no child in Biherawu village is left behind.