Rehabilitation and Development of Mariamshewito School, Tigray, Ethiopia

Who are we?

We are students in Geneva originally from the area of Mariamshewito, acting as a bridge between Geneva and the local community of Mariamshewito.

As students pursuing advanced studies, we strongly understand how transformative access to education can be, and we hope to give this new generation the educational opportunity.

Regardless of the size of your contribution, thank you for your support, solidarity and attention.

Presentation of the project :

Rehabilitation and Development of Mariamshewito School, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Mariamshewito School, located in a rural community in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, was established to serve students from the age of 7 to 18. For years, the school was a vital centre of learning and community life.

However, the recent conflict in Tigray severely damaged the school's infrastructure and disrupted the education of an entire generation of children. As a result, the school is no longer fully operational, leaving many students without access to a safe and nearby learning environment.

Today, many children must walk more than two hours each way to reach the nearest functioning school that is over congested already. This journey is exhausting, unsafe, and often impossible for younger students, especially in post conflict times. Consequently, many children are unable to attend school regularly, while others have stopped attending altogether. Limited educational opportunities, combined with the economic and social challenges facing the region, have also contributed to increased migration and displacement among young people.

One example is: Kibrom Hagos, a student from the Mariamshewito area whose life was profoundly affected by the conflict. After losing family members and experiencing the interruption of his education, he left home in search of a better future in Europe. His journey took him through Libya, where he is held hostage by traffickers who demanded ransom for his release. Kibrom’s story illustrates the devastating consequences of conflict, displacement, and the lack of educational opportunities available to many young people in the region.

Project Objectives

The goal of this project is to sustainably rehabilitate and develop the Mariamshewito school.

The requested funding will support:

• Completion of classroom rehabilitation and school facilities.

• Development of a library and science laboratory.

• Provision of desks, chairs, and essential educational materials

• Restoration of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities

• Creation of a functional learning environment for students and teachers

Beneficiaries

This project will directly benefit:

• Approximately 950 children and adult learners from Mariamshewito and surrounding villages

• Teachers and educational staff

• Families and the broader local community

Why Your Support Matters?

By rebuilding this school, we are not only restoring access to education, but also contributing to long-term stability, peace, and community resilience in a region deeply affected by conflict.

Your support can make an immediate and lasting difference by helping children to go to school regarding the congested conditions of the far closest schools in the area.

Together, we can complete the rehabilitation and development of Mariamshewito School and provide children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and rebuild their futures with confidence and dignity.

Should additional funds be raised beyond the school's reconstruction requirements, they will be used to establish a small support fund for vulnerable families as well as supporting other schools facing the same challenge.

Funding Goal

The total cost of rehabilitating and developing Mariamshewito School was estimated at CHF 38,000.

Despite the recurring challenges, the local community has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Hence, to date, thanks to the organisation of the local community and supporters CHF 15,600, had been collected which has already been used to reconstruct some rooms and repair roofs.

This crowdfunding campaign seeks to raise CHF 5000 to help complete a big step in the remaining work, including building construction, classrooms, sanitation facilities, furniture, and educational materials.

Contact Information

Email: negasiawetehey@gmail.com

Phone: +41782318096

Geneva, Switzerland

Marie Betelihem Deneu
Email: Marie.Deneu@etu.unige.ch

Geneva, Switzerland