{"id":5977,"date":"2023-02-15T04:35:49","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T04:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imagine1day.org\/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=5977"},"modified":"2023-02-15T04:35:49","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T04:35:49","slug":"sinana-2012-2014","status":"publish","type":"avada_portfolio","link":"https:\/\/imagine1day.org\/portfolio-items\/sinana-2012-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"SINANA 2012 \u2013 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
The dirt road that leads into the community of Gulcho is lined with prickly cacti and several bamboo-thatched homes. The road curves sharply to the left and then opens up to reveal the community\u2019s school, which is situated on a plot of land that stretches as far as the eye can see.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\n\u201cIMAGINE1DAY\u2019S SUPPORT, COUPLED WITH THE COMMUNITY\u2019S CONTRIBUTION, MEANS THAT OUR DREAM OF A BETTER LIFE THROUGH EDUCATION IS BOUND TO COME TRUE\u201d
\n\u2014 GIZEW TOLLA, PTA MEMBER<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>Constructed in 2008 out of bamboo sticks, stone and mud, the school is a symbol of Gulcho\u2019s commitment to education. \u201cI have worked in several communities during my career as a Principal and I have never witnessed a community more dedicated to education than Gulcho,\u201d explains Principal Tsegaye Defersha. They built a school for their children using whatever resources they had available. The District Education Office wouldn\u2019t assign any teachers to Gulcho\u2019s school because it said that it didn\u2019t meet the government\u2019s standards. But the community didn\u2019t give up. Instead, every household contributed money and together they hired their own teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gizew Tolla is a key member of Gulcho\u2019s Parent Teacher Association and has exemplified the level of commitment that Principal Defersha refers to. \u201cI am always ready to contribute my time and skills towards elevating our community,\u201d says Gizew. \u201cWe built the existing school without any support from the government. The community raised funds and constructed the school using all of the materials we had available to us at the time: sticks to build a frame and mud in lieu of plaster. We have never had help from outsiders before so we know we can succeed on our own. However, now we have imagine1day\u2019s support. That, coupled with the community\u2019s financial contribution, means that our dream of a better life through education is bound to come true.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>
This Year\u2019s Game Plan<\/h3><\/div>
We\u2019re getting behind Sinana\u2019s goal to improve its ranking from the lowest in the region, to the highest by the end of 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>
WE\u2019RE BUILDING SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, WATER POINTS AND LATRINES<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ll build five new schools complete with gender divided latrines. Water points will provide a much needed source of fuel for children during the day. Libraries offer a happy place for readers to dive into their studies or a new book.<\/p>\nTEACHERS AND COMMUNITIES WILL DEVELOP AND GROW<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ll build leadership across the district by developing the government\u2019s capacity. Teachers across the district will receive extensive professional development. Pilot early childhood education programs will be launched.<\/p>\nSCHOOLS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH KEY NECESSITIES<\/strong>
\nAcross the district we\u2019ll provide books, science kits, and sports sets. We\u2019ll set up student leadership school clubs and creative writing programs too. School playgrounds will be abuzz with children of all ages taking turns.<\/p>\n<\/div>Project Overview<\/h3><\/div>
When we started working in the Sinana district in 2012, learning environments were poor and student outcomes were suffering. \u00a0More than 23,000 children were squeezed into 35 schools, most of them built out of mud, wood and straw. Sixty per cent of these had no library, half of all schools had no potable water, and only three schools had pit latrines. \u00a0Sinana was rated at the lowest grade level in the region.<\/p>\n