Gearing up to Celebrate International Menstrual Hygiene Day Despite COVID-19 Hurdles

Betelihem Tadewos, 16 year-old Peer Educator with 3 years of training in MHM peer-to-peer groups.

As the COVID-19 pandemic affects all areas of our work, our pad distribution initiative for primary and secondary schools in South-western Ethiopia is no exception. After successfully distributing pads and giving menstrual health training to 600 students in 2018 and 2019, it is our goal to match and even increase this number for the year of 2020 in addition to building menstrual hygiene management (MHM) friendly spaces in schools. Our team was able to distribute pads to 430 girls right before COVID hit in Ethiopia and schools officially closed. As we restrategize on how to get the rest of our pads distributed in light of COVID, we continue to work on the construction of an MHM room and an MHM friendly latrine.  So, in light of the upcoming MHM day on May 28th, we want to celebrate the young girls of our MHM and peer-to-peer groups. Watching these girls find courage and empowerment through our MHM programming and resources is the very reason we continue to do the work we do. May we all strive for a world where menstruation is destigmatized and no longer a barrier to education and access for young girls.

Photo credit: Martha Tadesse (@Marthinolly)

Betelihem leading a discussion in one of our peer to peer groups.

First-ever public library and computer center in Adilo

Students engrossed in their homework last month at the new Adilo Public Library .

The Adilo District’s first-ever public library and computer center, which opened last month, is getting rave reviews. It’s attracting lots of students and other community members, who come to take advantage of the library’s extensive reading materials, study areas, computers and Internet access.

“This library is like a light for the students at Adilo and the community at large,” said Tessema Arficho, a local government representative, during a tour of the library in mid-November. During his visit, dozens of students could be seen studying while trained librarians were helping other users.

The new library – accessible to 22,000 community members – is the latest step in WEEMA’s goal of building and equipping a public library network for the entire Kembata-Tembaro Zone, which has nearly one million people, roughly half of them children.

Public libraries are relatively rare in Ethiopia, especially in isolated rural areas where schools are poorly equipped and students have little or no access to updated textbooks, quiet study space and the Internet. These barriers can limit students’ ability to study and their overall academic performance.

The new library has hundreds of new books, 20 computers, latrines and a generator to keep everything running. It also has a study area for secondary students preparing for national exams and a reading area for younger children. 

With the government operating the library and using WEEMA-trained local staff, the community’s long-term commitment to the library is clear.

The library shelves are stocked with textbooks and other reading materials for students of all ages.

A New Beginning

A new beginning for 30 students with disabilities

Exciting news! Tembaro’s first inclusive education program is up and running at Mudula Primary School and more than 30 children with disabilities – a mix of boys and girls – are enrolled. All are attending school for the first time now that the teachers and the classrooms can support their learning.

The opening marks the culmination of an extraordinary effort involving community leaders, the local government, teachers, parents, and students – all with a shared vision of giving children with disabilities the same educational opportunities as other children. The Tembaro District has 39 primary schools, but until last month, none were accessible to children with disabilities.

The year-long effort included awareness-raising sessions with local stakeholders about the challenges that children with disabilities face and the wide-ranging benefits of giving them more opportunities – starting with a formal primary education. WEEMA also helped train staff to teach in sign language and support other special needs. The school was also outfitted with wheelchairs,  entrance ramps, special furniture, and other resources to help students who are blind and deaf. 

What a transformation we’ve seen! During a recent visit to the school, English teacher Aleme Wochato was using sign language to teach students the alphabet. A half-dozen students were enthusiastically waving their hands to show what they had learned. In another room, environmental science teacher Alemitu Aweno was using sign language to teach first graders about animals in Ethiopia.

Teachers were especially delighted with the big changes afoot. “Before this year, none of the schools had teachers trained in education methodologies for engaging children with disabilities,” Wochato said. “Now, with support from WEEMA, teachers are trained in the Braille alphabet, sign language, and other skills.  

Judging from their smiles and eager participation in classes as you can see in the photo below, students are also excited about the school’s transformation.

Library Transformation at Boarding School for High Achieving Students

Students at Higa School smiling in the boys' dormitory 

In the fall of 2017, Higa Model Boarding High School opened its doors to the highest achieving students from across the Kembata-Tembaro Zone. Higa Model was constructed to provide a rigorous 4 year academic experience for the best performing students to excel and pursue their dream of attending university.

WEEMA is honored to participate in this community effort by constructing the school's new library. Over the coming months, WEEMA will transform the room in the photo below into a top-notch facility for students, complete with computers, books and furniture. The school was founded and supported by "Gogotacare",  a local Kembata-Tembaro organization, and the campus was donated by the Zonal (State) government. This school and its students are the pride of the community and WEEMA is thrilled to be a part of its success. 

Big moves for Mudula and Keleta Kindergartens

WEEMA is supporting education in the community by constructing permanent buildings for Mudula and Keleta Kindergartens.

The Kindergartens will move from their current rented classrooms to newly built classrooms located inside local school complexes. Basing Mudula and Keleta kindergartens in locations adjacent to the primary schools in their area will allow them to function under the same administration as the rest of the school district. 

WEEMA is dedicated to implementing projects that support the long-term, sustainable success of Ethiopia's educational system.