ETHIOPIA: Caritas Ethiopia and CRS provides a conducive environment for education to South Sudanese Refugees in Gambella
Fr. Aristide and ARRA representative cutting the ribbon
By Makeda Yohannes, CBCE Communications and Public Relation Officer
Among the many social and development services of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia education tops the list. Caring for migrants and refugees is also an important service of the Church. It is against this backdrop that the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission (Caritas Ethiopia) with the support of CRS Ethiopia constructed 2 schools in Jewi Refugee camp, Gambella Regional State.
The schools constructed in two sites include a total of 22 fully furnished class rooms, libraries equipped with all the necessary furniture and books, latrines and water points and offices. The classrooms can accommodate 60 students each making the total beneficiaries 2640 refugee students.
In addition, trainings on child protection and child hygiene and sanitation is provided to teachers who will be working with the students. The Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) will be taking over and running the school and follow up on the day to day activities of the school.
Speaking on behalf of Caritas Ethiopia at the inauguration ceremony of the schools Rev. Fr. Aristide, SDB said that education is at the root of solving problems and creating a base for a better future. “Providing friendly environment gives hope to displaced people and this is what the Church is doing; with education we can produce many reasonable young people with a perspective prosperous future” he said.
During the same occasion Mrs Nora Ochieng, UNHCR Program officer for education, appreciated the Church’s effort to provide equal opportunity to children. “As a Christian community you are testifying that all children are equal before the eyes of God and deserve to learn in a comfortable environment. I say that after seeing the quality of the school furniture in the class rooms and the libraries, even these classrooms are well ventilated as they were constructed taking into account the hot weather of the area,” she said.
Mrs. Ochieng called on all parents and the refugee community to take advantage of the schools available and mobilize as many children as possible to go to school.
Meanwhile Mr. Kemal Hassen, program officer of ARRA said that 65% of the refugee community are at school going ages but currently there are only 35% school coverage. He expressed hope that such services will continue while at the same time he thanked Caritas for constructing up to the standard school facilities saying, “We appreciate the wonderful job accomplished by the Catholic Church, I assure you that these facilities will be used to provide educational services to the best interest of the students.” ARRA will be responsible for running the schools and provide educational services.
The schools are constructed with a total budget of Euro 457,084 with the financially support from TROCAIRE/IA through CRS and Caritas Ethiopia. It is to be recalled that Caritas constructed four schools in two refugee camps in Gambella Regional State that are already giving services to students.
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