{"id":5984,"date":"2023-02-15T04:39:08","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T04:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imagine1day.org\/?post_type=avada_portfolio&p=5984"},"modified":"2023-02-15T04:39:08","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T04:39:08","slug":"dello-mena-district","status":"publish","type":"avada_portfolio","link":"https:\/\/imagine1day.org\/portfolio-items\/dello-mena-district\/","title":{"rendered":"DELLO MENA DISTRICT"},"content":{"rendered":"
Plans for construction of a new Grade 5-8 school had only just begun in Yadot, a town in the district of Dello Mena, and already transformation was taking shape.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\n\u201cI USED TO BELIEVE THAT IF I SENT MY KIDS TO SCHOOL, THAT WAS THE LIMIT OF MY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW I FEEL IT\u2019S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE MY NEIGHBOUR\u2019S KIDS AND MY WHOLE FAMILY IS EDUCATED.\u201d\u0003\u2014 TEGENE DAME, RELIGIOUS LEADER<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>
Tegene Dame was one of several influential community leaders who walked from house to house each weeknight to ensure that every family enrolled their children in school in 2014: boys, girls, all of them. Dame was one of the first people to participate in imagine1day\u2019s new Religious and Clan Leaders Training, which occurred in February 2014 to kick off planning for this project. imagine1day invited 206 religious and clan leaders from across the district to talk about gender equity and to analyze what religious texts say about education. \u201cDuring the training, there were some misunderstandings about formal education and religious education, but in the end we finally agreed that both are important and more than that, they are complimentary,\u201d says Dame. Dame is not alone. Leaders of Yadot\u2019s Iddir, an important local community organization, along with representatives of the local Parent Teacher Association and health workers, are all busy collecting students\u2019 names to get their parents\u2019 commitment that they will continue to attend classes this fall. \u201cI believe that religious organizations can make a difference in creating awareness about education. All religions encourage education of all people, but on the ground that hasn\u2019t happened yet. Now I realize it\u2019s my responsibility to think outside the box.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>
This Year\u2019s Game Plan<\/h3><\/div>
In the second of a three-year project in Dello Mena, our focus is on deepening relationships with communities and the district government, continuing to build the capacity of teachers and school principals and PTAs through essential professional development and leadership programs, while also continuing to build critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/div>
WE\u2019RE BUILDING SCHOOLS AND LATRINES<\/strong>
\nThree schools to be exact, each with four furnished classrooms serving grades 5-8. We\u2019ll also build an ECE classroom and playground adjacent to each school. Three eight-stall gender divided latrines and two essential school water projects will complete this year\u2019s construction plans. Some communities where we are not building full school projects, will be provided with industrial materials to improve the status of their existing community built schools.<\/p>\nCLASSROOMS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH KEY NECESSITIES<\/strong>
\nAcross the district we\u2019ll provide 5,939 books, 21 science kits, and 22 sports sets. We\u2019ll also set up creative writing programs and continue to foster youth leadership through student centered school clubs.<\/p>\nTEACHERS AND COMMUNITIES WILL DEVELOP AND GROW<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ll build leadership across the district by developing the government\u2019s capacity. In 45 schools we\u2019ll train religious leaders, women, influencers, and the PTA. Teachers across the district will receive extensive professional development.<\/p>\n<\/div>Project Overview<\/h3><\/div>
\u201cThe passage to Dello Mena from the Bale Mountains is blessed with emerald green hills and rainbows on many days. A primary source of livelihood, coffee bushes can be spotted throughout the district. Its education indicators are among the weakest in all of Ethiopia with only have of school age children enrolled, drop out rates at 18%, and approximately three quarters the number of girls attending school as compared to boys.\u00a0Over a three year period, we aim to transform Dello Mena\u2019s education system, in partnership with communities and the District Education Office.<\/p>\n