Our District Active in Africa
Posted by Scott Wisdahl
On Thursday, September 15th the afternoon Club had three guest speakers from Grande Prairie at a special supper meeting and our Club was invited to attend. The theme of the presentation was the recent project and travel to southern Ethiopia by a 4 person team out of Grande Prairie. Excellent photos and displays accompanied the very moving presentation that left those who attended with a message of hope.
The project the team spoke on is geared at supporting education in one of the most difficult areas of Ethiopia. Though one might have expected this presentation to be about water, as that area of Ethiopia is currently in a multi-year draught, it was clearly outlined that local communities were unanimous in wanting the focus to be on education. They feel it's only through education that their voices will be heard in the capital and the rest of the world, and it is the only way to provide a future for their children. They say that they have lived with draught and famine for hundreds of years and that can't be changed.
The local communities have put in place very good plans and have secured teachers and buildings. They have designed a process that is supportable into the future. What they have asked for from Rotary, is support for the student dormitories so that children will be able to stay near the schools rather than walking up to 30 km each way, each day. This is an ongoing project for this team. The team will be going back to Ethiopia in February and Dean Anderson from the afternoon club will be joining them.
This was a moving presentation that no Rotarion should have missed. Hopefully Dean will be able to talk to us about his trip when he gets back.
PS - our own African travelers, Quintin and Nicole, will be putting together a presentation of their own which will also cover parts of Ethiopia.
The local communities have put in place very good plans and have secured teachers and buildings. They have designed a process that is supportable into the future. What they have asked for from Rotary, is support for the student dormitories so that children will be able to stay near the schools rather than walking up to 30 km each way, each day. This is an ongoing project for this team. The team will be going back to Ethiopia in February and Dean Anderson from the afternoon club will be joining them.
This was a moving presentation that no Rotarion should have missed. Hopefully Dean will be able to talk to us about his trip when he gets back.
PS - our own African travelers, Quintin and Nicole, will be putting together a presentation of their own which will also cover parts of Ethiopia.