"Limat Adi bideki Adi" in Practice!
No one refutes the statement,”Education is a key factor for a country’s economic development,” regardless of whoever says it. Even children as young as six years of age who live in the various villages of Ethiopia have understood the benefits of education and are going to school. However, the definition of a school in itself is open for debate, at least in the case we are about to witness. What does the word “school” entail? Could a place with open-air classrooms and no desks still qualify to be called a school? Can a school that doesn’t even protect its pupil from the venomous scorpions, lizards and snakes, the heat of the sun and the strong wind be cherished as an asset to the community where it exists?
Believe it or not the aforementioned scenario is a reality in many parts of Tigray in which students are still enduring to educate themselves. Fortunately, the Tigray State in collaboration with the Tigray Development Association (TDA) and other NGO’s is working relentlessly to improve the situation. For instance TDA’s current “project based” strategy is getting momentum among the Tigrayans in Diaspora.
A case in point is the determination of Tigrayans in the Chicago area to build a primary school in Samre, Tigray. Recently, they have hosted a fund raising dinner that attracted many Tigrayans from Chicago city and its environs. During the event and afterwards, members and supporters of the Tigray Development Association donated more than 19,000 dollars to be earmarked towards the construction of the proposed primary school.
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However, the amount of money that has been raised so far falls a little bit short of the targeted amount (i.e. $ 35,000). As most of us know, the projected cost of the proposed school that has been entrusted upon all TDA members and supporters in the Chicago area is about 70,000 dollars. Only 35,000 dollars is expected from the Diaspora Tigrayans and the rest ($35,000) shall be matched by the local community in Samre in the form of “sweat equity.” Hence, invigorated efforts are needed to collect the remaining amount.
The location of the proposed school had been identified and the corner stone was set in place by TDA Chicago Chapter representative Ato Mekonnen, Assefa in front of many esteemed local administrators and the community at large.
The Ethiopian Mutual Aid Association of Illinois (EMAA) congratulates all stakeholders for a job well done thus far and would like to renew its commitment to work with those who are trying their best towards making Tigray a better place for all. Building a school for brothers and sisters in Tigray is a noble cause that deserves everyone’s participation. As the Tigrigna epigram has it, “Limat Adi bideki Adi,” sustainable development can only be achieved by the full participation of all Deki Adi.
The following photos were taken during the ceremony.
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