Ethiopia

The School at Kamashi

The Kamashi district is located 519 km northeast of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Kamashi is a mountainous area that has few flat surfaces. The average altitude is 1200 m.

Food for the Hungry has been conducting a development program for children in this area since 2000. Currently 600 children are part of this program. They are in great need of tutoring, because families often lack the financial capacity to ensure schooling for children. Sometimes there is also resistance of parents to send their children to school.

This region has been neglected by the government and the educational system is weak. FH began to build schools and strengthen education also by visiting parents to avoid absenteeism and dropping out of courses by students. The quality of schooling has been improved. FH has also engaged in in-service teacher education. Courses have also been diversified: now, sports and creative activities are scheduled. FH provides school furniture and continues home visits.

Four classrooms have already been built to improve education in this area. The lack of classrooms continues to demand attention given the growing population. 

What we are doing: 
     * Promoting access to education for the children of the Kamashi region.
     * Construction of a block of four new classrooms.
     * Provision of classroom equipment such as tables, desks and chairs.