OUR VISION
A world where all people are connected to their greatness.
OUR MISSION
Leveraging the power of Education to Transform a Nation.
OUR GOAL
All Ethiopians have access to quality Education Funded free of Foreign Aid by 2045.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Imagine1day® is an international organization enabling primary and Secondary School education in Ethiopia and is distinctive in its approach, which holds leadership development as a key element of program implementation. The organization’s program activities include school construction, in-depth teacher training, and capacity building with its direct partners in the rural communities in Ethiopia, ensuring self-sustainability every step of the way.
As a direct implementer in Ethiopia, Imagine1day has an on-the-ground team to lead and manage the implementation of all of its projects.
Imagine1day operates with visionary leadership and a solid financial base. Our founders, Chip and Summer Wilson, endowed the charity, allowing l00% of every donor dollar to be directed to projects.
HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT
For one, we want to put ourselves out of business. Yes, you read that right. When we achieve our goal our job will be done. Contrasting some traditional solutions to poverty and social inequity, our approach is to work directly on the ground with partners at the government and community level to transform their leadership and help get the job done. That means we don’t just build schools, we create quality education in a holistic way through innovative thinking and a commitment to accountability. It means we focus on creating community ownership and making everything we do sustainable. We encourage people to set audacious goals and then equip them with the tools to see their best possible future become a reality.
A SEED THAT’S GROWING
Chip & Shannon Wilson launched Imagine1day in 2007, with an endowment to support our operations and enable a 100% flow-through of public donations to our projects in Ethiopia. Drawing inspiration from their commitment to education and leadership and their vision to reimagine charity, we take a business- minded approach to development, by setting goals, applying long-term thinking and achieving results.
Our strategy allows us to focus our resources to get to the root of the issues facing Ethiopia’s education sector, in order to ensure systemic and sustainable change. We’re out to prove that the transformation of a nation through the actions of its citizens, is possible.
We look forward to 2045, when our goal to ensure all Ethiopians have access to quality education free of foreign aid, is achieved.
OUR WORK IMPACTS PEOPLE, BIG AND SMALL
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)
AGES 5-6
The earlier a parent sends their child to school, the greater the possibility that they will value education over the long run. We build ECE classrooms and help develop pedagogy to set a strong foundation for the youngest of Ethiopia’s future leaders.
1ST CYCLE PRIMARY
GRADES 1-4
In early grades, children learn basic literacy and numeracy, as well as life skills, such as personal sanitation, basic ethics, and self-assurance. We help schools improve classroom environments and teaching methodologies, which in turn enhance learning outcomes and increase retention rates.
2ND CYCLE PRIMARY
GRADES 5-8
Ethiopia’s enrolment rate drops starkly from Grade 4 to 5 and as grade levels progress. These middle grades are a significant priority and we’re working to address both the infrastructure needs and the socio-economic causes of the decline in enrolment.
HIGH SCHOOL
Grades 9-12
Going to high school means leaving a rural home to live in the nearest town where a school exists. The associated cost is often prohibitive, causing a dramatic drop off in enrolment. We award scholarships to high performing children from poor and disadvantaged households, so they can develop into their full potential.
Education In Emergency
We are creating access to education in emergency. We create awareness about the value of education, we build temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), we provide scholastic materials, and we create access to accelerated education program (AEP).
Our Accelerated Education Program (AEP):
1. Accelerated School Readiness (ASR) – Is an eight-week program with which basic literacy and numeracy skills are delivered for children aged 6 and 7.
2. Accelerated Education Program (AEP) – Is a condensed education of grades 1 & 2 that is delivered for children aged 12 and 14.
‘My Home’ approach
Introducing the ‘My Home’ project – an endeavor with a purpose. It is more than a project; it’s a transformative journey towards rebuilding lives and shaping a resilient future. It encapsulates the sanctuary we aim to create for those who have endured the harsh realities of displacement and emergencies. In a world where children are especially vulnerable to immense challenges, ‘My Home’ stands as a beacon of hope, addressing the aftermath of trauma and offering a pathway to a brighter future.
Why “My Home”? It is meant its meaning, symbolizing a place of safety and peace. In emergency situations, children face trauma, and this project aims to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) through an integrated approach.
Integrated Approach: Surpassing the conventional My Home project uniquely combines three pillars for maximum impact:
1. Learning: Opening doors to access to education, scholastic materials, and fostering a conducive learning environment. Our facilitators undergo specialized training to ensure quality education delivery.
2. Child Protection: Offering psychosocial support, active case identification, verification, and management of various child protection concerns such as Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC), Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), and Children with Disability (CWD).
This involves family tracing and reunification efforts, foster care arrangements, and Providing essential Non-Food Items (NFI).
3. Life Skills: Empowering with confidence, communication skills, and peacebuilding. We go beyond by introducing income-generating activities like beekeeping, animal husbandry, poultry, and tailoring our skill training to their context. Offering opportunities in professions such as waitressing, tailoring, and handicrafts.
Using this holistic approach to create lasting solutions and transform hardships into hopeful narratives, ‘My Home’ is a testament to resilience and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
We are creating lasting solutions, providing a safe haven for vulnerable children, and offering opportunities for a better future.
A New Opportunity – Water Well Drilling Machine
A capacity to reach over 20,000 people with clean water over the coming five years. WASH has been one pillar of our Intervention. We have built over 165 water points and 277 latrines. We have been working on capacity building for WASH committees and local water office experts, promoting hygiene, rehabilitating non-functional schemes, as well as WASH NFI, and cash provision.
This year, 2025 we are introducing a transformative fundraising initiative designed to alleviate the water crisis in Ethiopia! Our mission is to acquire a state-of-the-art Water Drilling Rig (PAT 421) that will enable us to drill additional wells, significantly improving access to vital water services. In a country where only 50% of households and less than 30% of schools have reliable access to clean water, the water well rig will allow us to make a positive and lasting impact.
With this water well drilling rig that will enable us to provide 7 water wells a year and 35 over the coming five years, we are committed to addressing the root causes of health challenges. A staggering 88% of diarrheal diseases in Ethiopia are attributed to unsafe water supply, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. Through this project, we can work towards mitigating these issues and fostering healthier communities.
Beyond health considerations, our initiative recognizes the direct correlation between clean water and educational opportunities. In Ethiopian schools, the absence of clean water often leads to a significant impact on girls’ attendance, causing them to miss 4 to 5 days per month. By providing sustainable access to clean water, we aim to create a conducive learning environment and promote educational equality.
Challenges such as limited water drilling companies and exorbitant costs have historically hindered progress in improving water accessibility. However, with the water well drilling machine, we can overcome these obstacles and truly make a substantial difference. We can contribute to breaking the cycle of water scarcity, transforming lives, and building a healthier, more prosperous future for communities in Ethiopia.
ADULTS AND COMMUNITIES AT LARGE
A well-run school becomes the center of a community from which everyone benefits. Parents are spearheading adult literacy programs, teachers are applying their professional development to improve their own lives, and government administrators are coordinating efforts to maximize their contribution to society.
OUR CORE VALUES
COMMUNITY
Our work connects human beings.
INFINITE POSSIBILITY
We create at least three possibilities for every challenge.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
We have nothing left unsaid, and the power is in the listening.
INTEGRITY
We do what we say we will do when we say we will do it, and if we don’t, we immediately clean up the mess we have created with all parties.
VALUE EXCHANGE
Our partners want to work with us again.
EQUITY
We uphold justice and fairness, ensuring inclusive
and unbiased service delivery for all.
FUN
We create spaces where people feel energized, safe to be themselves, and motivated to bring their full talents forward.
