THE GERMAN CHURCH SCHOOL, ADDIS ABEBA (ETHIOPIA) - Half Year Report May until December 2003

THE GERMAN CHURCH SCHOOL, ADDIS ABEBA (ETHIOPIA) -
Half Year Report May until December 2003

Greetings from German Church School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Here in German Church School, three months have already elapsed since we started our current academic year 1996 Ethiopian Calendar (2003/2004).
During this academic year, we admitted 76 children into grade one of the school that is, in two sections. We of course have three blind children in the preparatory class of our integrated program and they will be included in grade one upon completing reading and writing in Amharic and English Braille and other lessons on daily living skills, mobility and orientation.

On the other hand, our fifteen students that took the "10+2" secondary level general examination succeeded in obtaining very good results and have been assigned to different colleges and universities in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country, depending on their field of study.

The great academic success that we saw in this group of students especially is that they were the first group to study grade 7 and 8 in German Church School upon raising the grade level. This has clearly shown that the two more years they stayed under our direct academic support and supervision has made a difference in their academic performance as we envisaged when it was decided to raise the level of the school.

The best result of these is obtained by one of our students who has been in GCS integrated education for the blind. Of course we had six blind students in higher institutions and one of them graduated from Teachers Training College three months ago and is waiting for job placement. The other three are in the university and two others are in diploma level training in law. Wondwosen Wondwosen Yifru (PF-99) is also determined to study law in the University.
Wondwosen is a blind student 20 years old. He was born in Wollo in remote countryside. He lost his sight when he was a baby under two years as a result of the measles.
From what we know of him and what he now shared with us, his story is worth picking up. his story in his own words runs like this:
(Left Picture: Wondwosen gets a gift because of his good school, resluts)

" Congratulations to you as well, now I am happier than ever. I am here to tell you that I am assigned to the Law Faculty in Addis Ababa University. I had the desire to study law and it was my first choice and I at last got it."

Wondwosen went on to tell me his past experiences.
" I was brought to Addis Ababa by my aunt who told my parents and myself that she would put me in school. However, she didn't put me in school but rather gave me to other people for which I think she got some money in return. This people used to put me at church gate and market places and by roadside so that I earn them money by begging and so did I for some years.

Once upon a time while I was begging in the street at Arat Kilo one of the resource teachers at GCS, Ato Girma Woressa informed me about German Church School and invited me to come to the school. What I heard from the teacher was too good to believe but I accepted the offer and came and I was accepted for admission, this was ten years ago. So, I started a new chapter as a student by learning Amharic and English Braille, which I found very easy. I used to study even when I go out to beg and in two years I reached grade three. Yet, my guardian was putting me to begging during school free hours. Until the time when you told them not to send me for begging. However, I was begging in disguise in a way that I am not identified this I did even till I was in grade 6. In a way I am obliged to beg because I don't get my meal unless I do so. Of course things were a bit different after you started to give me additional support from grade six on words, and I was more on my studies and here I am.

You know, I like the Bible verse, which reads, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Pr. 1:7). It is good to fear the Lord. People do a lot of evil things because they luck the fear of God. I fear and love God. He has rescued my life from a lot of dangers. I also love this saying 'I am able because I am able'. I am trying to forget the past and I hope and believe my future will be better."

Despite all the hardships he faced, Wondwosen used to be one of the best students in his class. He still doesn't have the slightest doubt to succeed. His utmost ambition is to graduate from the university, become an attorney and support his mother and younger sister and his country. We hope his dream will turn to be a reality because he has already endured a lot of hardships and determined to work hard.

Wondwosen and his other classmates are subsequently included in our extended fostership program so that they could get the necessary support till they complete their studies.The other group of 10 + 2 that were placed in different fields of vocational training are currently in apprenticeship program as per their assignment by their respective schools.

In GCS, most of the children go through tough experiences that take their root in poverty. That is why we as part of our prime objective try to help them to feel that they will some day become some one independent.
For further materializing of this noble idea (the feeling of self-esteem) among our students, the Social Work Office (SWO) was established in the school. This has practically helped a lot in the teaching learning process. It also has demonstrated a remarkable contribution to help the children focus on their education. It is also obvious that many of our students are coming from very poor family; this means that they have numerous social, economical and psychological challenges.
Now a days HIV/AIDS has also become a big threat at a national level and the impact is felt so much in our school. The school has anti HIV/AIDS club. The students run this club and it is under the supervision of the SWO. One of the main tasks of this club is to create awareness about HIV / AIDS and train and teach the students to attain behavioral changes.

In some families children are participating in moneymaking activities, like street petty business, sale of bread, fruits, cigarettes, shoes shinning etc.
Sometime the students have a lot to do at home for this reason they do not get a chance to study and do their homework and especially the girls assist their mothers in various household activities. They fetch water, collect firewood, which can take several hours each day, spend at least another hour preparing food for the family.
This hectic workload leaves them neither the time nor the energy to give attention for their education. The social work is doing a lot in giving advice to parents to optimise the workload on their children so that due attention is given to education too.

Many students and their families are coming to this office to get advice concerning different matters that they are facing in the school and in their families as well. One of the strategies that the SWO arranged to solve this problem is home visit. The very reason why we arrange this is to establish to solve the problem and create an easy way to go through problem solving process.
During the home visit we do not give the ultimate solutions, but step to problem solving process, of course we direct and give them advise. But always priority is given to the students and to their families to go through the problem and identify the root causes and this helps them to develop self-confidence.

So, despite the manifold problems that we hear and see every passing day we have a lot of success stories. That is what we are committed to do now and hereafter.
We are grateful to those foster parents and organizationsthat are behind all the changes and success stories we are testifying in GCS and its social center. God bless you all.

Wishing you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Ato Teklu Tafesse, Principal and
Hans-Joachim Krause, Pastor

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