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A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT
by
Fasika Alem, President
Dear Supporters,
2008 has been both an exciting and challenging year for the Awassa Children’s
Project and the projects it supports in Ethiopia; the Awassa Children's Center
(ACC) and the Awassa Youth Campus (AYC). This newsletter gives you a glimpse
into all the happenings. We have welcomed eight more children under the age of
six into ACC, raising the number of children cared for at the Center to 75.
Despite having been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and coming to the Center weak and
malnourished, in the coming months these children will not only get adequate
nourishment to strengthen their bodies, but also education, counseling and
companionship that will strengthen their psyche. The children are excelling in
many ways. For example, about half of the children rank among the top five in
their respective grades and maintained this ranking for the entire year!
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New Home for the Chilrden
by Girma Melesse
Awassa Children's Center Director
The start of the school year brings with it some exciting new
developments for the ACC. First and foremost, we celebrated the grand opening of
a beautiful new home for the children. The new dormitory houses 18 kids and one
housemother comfortably. She takes care of their daily needs as well as provides
a mother’s warmth, caring and love. The dorm has five bedrooms and a large
living/ dining room space with inviting couches and chairs. As one might
imagine, the children are very excited about their new home. Everyone pitched in
to get ACC ready for the dormitory’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and ready it was!
The grand opening of the dormitory coincided with another important new
development for ACC, and Awassa at large. The morning of the opening, ACC was
happy to host a gathering of 42 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from the
community.
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Graduation Day
On Saturday, November 16th,
the ACC presented certificates to 48 students of the Vocational Training Center.
The graduation was held on ACC campus, and was attended by the mayor of Awassa,
as well as the graduates’ family and friends. Since June 2006, ACC trained 128
men and women in metalwork, woodwork, electricity and basic computer skills.
Many of the participants of ACC’s 10-month program come to the Center from City
Women’s Affairs and Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization.
They’re looking to gain the skills necessary to secure employment opportunities,
help their families, and make better lives for themselves.
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AWASSA YOUTH CENTER 2008 DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A Landmark Year Brings a Recording Studio, Hit Songs, Basketball Courts & One
Love on Tour!
BY JOHN MCKAY
It was just three years ago this month we opened the doors of
the Awassa Youth Campus (AYC). We had a basic plan, to provide space for youth
from all walks of life to learn, create and grow together. It was hard to
imagine then that this vision would blossom into a movement.
Our Philosophy
stands out among philanthropic ventures. We focus resources on the strengths of
Ethiopia’s youth, as opposed to their perceived weakness and helplessness. Their
strengths are twofold. First, Ethiopian children are natural born survivors,
second, they are far less inundated with the staggering amount of media and
technologies thrust upon their peers in the West and, consequently, are more
responsive to creativity, participation and not dulled by media. They are ready
to play. A crayon, a guitar or a book can still make a difference in Ethiopia.
At AYC, we believe this is an advantage, and we aim to use this to unleash the
creative energy of youth across Ethiopia and one day throughout Africa.
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