Some 2010 Statistics

Between September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2010, ANSO has:

-          Distributed another 1000 goats (total now over 2500)

-          Awarded 13 donkeys with carts

-          Awarded numerous other animals

-          Supported 61 high school and 5 university level students (total now 214 student years of support)

-          Reorganized and added to the micro-businesses – there are now 125 women running their own businesses

-          Provided 1250 days of training to the women starting their own businesses

-          Provided 420 days of basic “mother & child” health training to 20 Traditional Birth Attendants

-          Started looking into a major water project.

And there is still a lot more to be done!

FW: English Language Boot Camp a Resounding Success

 

On both of our last two visits to Ethiopia, we were told how desperately rural students in southern Ethiopia needed additional help learning English.  Under the Ethiopian Education system, students start grade one studying in their local language (one of the 14 official languages in Ethiopia) and immediately start learning English as a second language.  By the time they get to grade eight, the curriculum says they should be switching to English as the primary language of education with their local language being the secondary language.  Actually the local language becomes the third language because they are also required to learn Amharic.  At the end of grade 10, all students wishing to go on must pass exams written entirely in English.  At the end of Grade 12 they must write their university entrance exams in English and one compulsory exam in Amharic.  Rural students are at a disadvantage because the good teachers stay in the cities – many of the rural teachers have never really had an opportunity to speak English – what they have is entirely “book learning”.

This year ANSO teamed up with the Gudina Tumsa Foundation (see link) of Ethiopia to provide a three week English Language Boot Camp experience to 60 rural Ethiopian high school students.  ANSO recruited the teachers in our local community, paid the meal costs for students and staff and helped organize the whole expedition.  Gudina Tumsa Foundation provided the facilities at their boarding school near Fantelle, selected the students, provided support staff and hosted the teachers while in Ethiopia.  The teachers paid their own air fare, volunteered their time (three weeks of teaching, one week of travel and no one knows how much prep time), prepared the lessons and took along incredible amounts of teaching aids and other goodies.

The English Boot Camp turned out to be a fabulous success for all involved.  The three weeks were spent formally interacting from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon and from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, but in reality students and teachers played, laughed and learned together much more than that.  Whether it was playing soccer, Fantelle Golf or just going for walks, students were eager for the teachers company, and the teachers enjoyed the students.  We are told the students English improved significantly, but what really benefited was their confidence in using the language.

ANSO and the Gudina Tumsa Foundation plan to organize another similar English Language Boot Camp during the summer of 2011.  If you are interested in being part of this experience, please give me a call at 780 512 7022. 

 

April, 2010 Trip to Ethiopia

April, 2010 Trip to Ethiopia.

 

Between April 4^th to April 29^th eight of us spent 20 exhausting but very rewarding days visiting various ANSO and Rotary projects throughout southern and eastern Ethiopia. There is absolutely no doubt, we are making an impact! We talked to students who were going to school because of ANSO Student Support, women how had thriving business because of ANSO Micro-Financing and families that were enjoying the benefits of their own goat herds because of ANSO Animal Restocking.  Because of some political unrest  in the Haro Dibe area in December of 2009, ANSO’s activities in that area had to be curtailed for a while, but everything is now back on course.  While a few of the new businesses are struggling, there have also been some outstanding successes that were very good to see.

 

On a personal note, it is the first time we had been to Ethiopia during the rainy season.  All my mental images of that country were is shades of brown and grey and this time everything was a vibrant green.  What a difference some water can make!  It helps to understand the nature of a country to see it in all the different seasons.

 

As is always the case with these trips we experienced and learned a lot.  We were treated like Royalty everywhere we went. Over and over, we  asked to “ Please thank those people in Canada who are making this possible” – that would be the people who buy our cards!  Things are improving, but there is oh so much more that could be done. We came home tired, but totally recharged and ready to carry on for another year.

 

We are counting on your continuing support.

 

Chris Andersen, ANSO

A Water Project?

ANSO was totally caught by surprise when John and Genie Murphy of St. Albert, Alberta recently decided to donate $20,000 to the ANSO cause.  After a lengthy discussion about the various needs and opportunities in Ethiopia, John indicated that “while he will leave it totally up to ANSO to use the funds wisely and effectively, his preference would be to see a water project”.  Genie said “Her preference is anything that benefits children, but if we could humour John while helping the children, that would be good”. Wonderful people, both of them.

 

Thank you John and Genie Murphy for your most generous contribution.

 

ANSO has already started looking into various opportunities around developing a significant secure, clean potable water project in the Haro Dibe area of Ethiopia.

 

 

Group Travels to Ethiopia

On April 5^th, eight people (four of whom are Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, Swan City) will meet in Addis Ababa to begin a twenty day trip to look at various ANSO and Rotary projects around Ethiopia.  Using three Toyota Land Cruisers, the group will travel over 3000 km to visit projects in the communities of Haraqallo, Negele, Fantalle, Teferi Ber and Lalibela.  This will be the seventh annual trip to Ethiopia for ANSO president Chris Andersen, who says “On each trip we learn something new, and we are continually amazed that people with so little work so hard to gain an education and to improve the livelihood of their families. Included in the trip will be projects centered around schools, water cisterns, micro-businesses, animal restocking, student scholarships, container shipments and the Darara Orphanage.

 

Upon their return to Canada the group will be preparing a power point presentation about their experiences and interested persons can contact ANSO for more information or a presentation.

 

 

Now That is a Lot of Goats!

On March 18^th, the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park Centennial presented ANSO with a cheque for $15,000.00, money they raised through their Donate a Goat Campaign.  Needless to say, the money will be used to buy goats for needy families in Ethiopia.  This is the fourth consecutive year that  that the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park Centennial has supported ANSO, and over those four years they have raised enough money to buy over 2500 Goats. 

 

Now that is a lot of goats!

2009 Financial News

During the calendar year 2009, ANSO received a total of $166,000 in financial contributions. Of this amount, $25,000 came from The Wild Rose Foundation and $44,000 Came from Jim and Mary-Helen Boccioletti, with the remaining $97,000 coming from individual donors like yourself.  What a fantastic gift to the people of Ethiopia! ANSO would also recognize the Rotary Club of Sherwood Park Centennial because through their Donate a Goat Program, they raised $25,000 for ANSO in their community.  Isn’t it amazing what can be accomplished when we all put in a little?

 

ANSO would like to thank each and every one of our supporters in 2009, and we look forward to a great year in 2010.