Haile Babamo school

This is the fundraiser that I haven't said much about but I am very passionate about.  Teamed up with the Althoff family, we've raised over half of our $10,000 goal. But I'm here to say that it's not because of me. Dear friends, could you give $5, $10, a thousand dollars or somewhere in between to this precious project?  Meghan, from Roots Ethiopia, will be there next week and I'd love for her to have good news for those at the Haile Babamo school. 

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Haile Babamo Junior School Support Project

Supporting Excellence in the Haile Babamo Junior School in Hosanna Town
Haile Babamo school was established in 1943 with primary school from grade 1-4. With community contribution and governmental funds, it has expanded to junior school. The school is located in an area where poor people from the city and poor farmers live. According to the 2014 roster, the school provides service to 1553 students (54% female). There are a total of 41teachers of varying educational levels and there is an average of 60 students in each classroom. 
The school has many strengths and, despite its lack of adequate funding, the poverty status of the students, and the high student teacher ratio, it has flourished into one of the best schools in the region. Still, there are acute needs at the school to keep it thriving. The Althoff family in Vermont and the Buitenwerf family in Iowa have decided to work with Roots Ethiopia, through their partnership with MKC church in Ethiopia to establish a goal of raising $10,000 to support the over 1500 children of Haile Babamo school now and in the future.
One of the most beautiful aspects of working with Roots, Ethiopia is that they partner with local workers in the community that is being supported. All construction work will be done locally to benefit local craftsmen and to stimulate the local economy. All of Roots Ethiopia's projects are done with this same keen eye toward keeping assets working in the community.
Goal of the project: To improve the educational environment of Haile Babamo Junior School in Hosanna town, SNNPR, Ethiopia
Objectives of the proposal: Improving and maintaining the school performance of Haile Babamo Junior School through provision of basic education, improvement of sanitation and infrastruture, and supply of basic school materials over the next year
 Expected Outcomes/Results:

• Highly vulnerable children and orphans will be enrolled in sponsorship programs
• Sanitation will be improved by building a toilet and upgrading the water supply
• Major shortages of the school will be met
• The teaching and learning process will continue smoothly
• Student results will be improved
• The number of drop outs will be reduced
• The school will have uniforms in two years by mobilizing resource externally and locally
• Students talented in sports will be supported and encouraged

Want more information about Roots Ethiopia and what they are doing to break down the barriers to education in Ethiopia?
Their white paper on education: http://www.rootsethiopia.org/white-paper-on-education-in-ethiopia/

2 Blog posts on grade progression and barriers to attending and school delay:
http://www.rootsethiopia.org/820/

http://www.rootsethiopia.org/exploring-barriers-to-attending-school-delay-and-drop-out/

Althoff and Buitenwerf fundraising forROOTS ETHIOPIA INC

Hosanna

"Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" is found multiples times in the bible in the story of Jesus's triumphal entry into the city. I love this piece of history and sometimes get lost in the thought of what it looked like, sounded like. I wonder what the bystanders were thinking as Jesus's followers untied the colt and led it away. I have so much curiosity about this scene as it unfolded. But today I'm particularly thinking of the people shouting "Hosanna". Stick with me a few minutes and you'll hear why this is applicable to my journey4hope blog. 

According to dictionary.com, hosanna is an exclamation - originally an appeal to God for deliverance, used in praise of God or Christ. I love this definition because it makes me smile as i think of this small town in Ethiopia called Hosanna. Located in southwest Ethiopia, Hosanna is home to a school called Haile Babamo. This school is located where the poor people from the city and poor farmers live. Many of the 1,500 students are involved in labor to support their school and basic needs. But when in school rather than working, an average of 60 students per classroom can be found excelling in their education. In Ethiopia, even a primary education is an opportunity they appreciate. 

I could continue on about the strength of the school and the limitations they face, or the opportunities the school is looking at, and I'll flesh that out another day. But what I'm super excited about is getting involved with the current needs of the school. If you pay any attention to my blog, you know I've been very quiet about Ethiopia. After pursuing two girls for adoption and being told we weren't a good fit, i needed a break. There was no doubt my heart is connected to Ethiopia but i was surprised by the closed door and unsure of how to move forward. 

Three weeks ago, Ryan and I agreed to partner with another family to raise the necessary funds through Roots Ethiopia to keep the Haile Babamo school moving forward. I'm beyond excited about this project. The model and the specific budget items and activities line up really well with some core beliefs and interests i have. Watch for the next post where i share a little more about this specific project and how you can be involved....

In the meantime, I'll continue to shout Hosanna and appeal to God for this project and the specific needs laid out for it.