Towards the beginning of the big festivities a cloud of uncertainty was hovering because of fear of some instabilities. Ofcourse, the fear had its impact to a certain magnitude but it all started out in a peaceful manner and more so up to now.

As an integral part of this event, we have also planned to celebrate the millennium day of our German Church School on November 20, 2007 only five months after we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the school.
The most important thing about the school millennium is that it is intended to bring together representatives of our major donors, officials and educators in the different offices of the ministry of education and local administrative units. This will also offer an opportunity to tighten our link and refresh our joint commitment to serve the community and the nation through the children that are supported in the school. Along with the Christmas greetings from children in the school, we are presenting a case story of a child.

The name of the child is Natnael.

Natnael is nine years old and he is in grade 3. His father died 20 days after he was born. When Natnael was three months old his mother left him to his grand mother and disappeared because she couldn't support her self and her child. Yet, she died two 2 years ago before seeing a change neither in her own life nor in her child.

Nati's grand mother raised him since he was three months old. The family size is six; one daughter and four sons. She has no children who are independent. Natnael's grand mother used to collect and sell leaves to make their living. Life was very hard for the family; even having a meal a day was so difficult.

Natnael's grand mother experienced a lot of problems to fulfill some of the daily needs of her family. Because the place is very far from her living area she had to walk for more than three hours to collect leaves. She usually starts at 11a.m and reaches there after 3.am.It was not only the long walk which was a problem for her but also the hyenas. Some times they follow her but didn't attack but created a lot of stress on her. When the rain comes she had no where to go other than waiting till the rain stops. There was a time in which the heavy rain falls on her for almost an hour. She often gets sick after such bad experiences.

After she had collected the leaves, she had to pay 50 cents to the guards in order to pass the checking points in the forest. She arrives at the market place after 1 p.m and she sells it only for four or five birr. However her income couldn't cover even the expense of their supper, the first and only meal of the day.

In the middle of this situation, his grandmother managed to bring Natnael to German church School and fortunately he was admitted in grade one.
His grandma considers this opportunity as Natnael's rebirth. This is so for her because Natneal started to eat bread, fruits, milk at school on top of getting pocket money. It is funny for to see him coming home in uniforms and shoes that he gets from the school. Though Natneal is a child he also felt the burden on his family and at times he used to take home part of the bread, to share with his grandma.

However, after their home was visited and subsequent discussion with the grand mother, she was advised by the social workers to start a small business.
With the offer, Natnael's grandmother started to sell "injera" (local food) and bread by the start-up money that she got from German Church School. At present, the family have managed to support themselves by selling the injera and the bread and use the remaining for their meal. The family that once used to live on cereals for days has now managed to make small profits besides getting their daily meal.

Natnael is also supporting her by keeping daily register of her profits and other household activities. He is getting more and more active in his academic performance and in his social interaction. In the words of Natnael's grandmother, it is "the rebirth" of the whole family. She says, words can not express how delighted I am and more so to see Natnael happy growing and changing.

The most interesting things about the fostership and social support that the children in GCS get is that a real change is attained in the life of the families particularly when they fully participate in solving their problems.

Dear fosterparents we would like to assure you that your support is not in vain, it means a lot to a child who is luckily in German Church School.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2008.

Ato Teklu Tafesse, Principal and
Martin Gossens, Pastor