Join AHEAD on Saturday 18 June

Elfneh Speaks at Bule Hora University Second Symposium

Dr Elfneh U. Bariso, chair of AHEAD gave a key note speech at the second National Symposium of Bule Hora University held from 3-4 June. His presentation entitled, "A Critical Analysis of Approaches to Education for Pastoralist Communities" stimulated a heated debate. He raised many issues based on the current literature on the topic and reflections of his own pastoralist, academic and professional experiences. Elfneh explained AHEAD’s contributions to providing facilities such hostels for orphan girls from pastoralist communities. He analyzed various types of schools - from formal to informal mobile schools appraised their strengths and weaknesses. He elaborated how both indigenous knowledge systems and western knowledge systems can be integrated into school curriculum and development intervention strategies to exploit the best of both worlds to improve and sustain the livelihoods of pastoralist communities whose lifestyles are under serious threats from natural and man-made factors. Elfneh warned against any imposition from outsiders and called for a holistic mutual cooperation which enables the local communities to partake fully in development projects. Dr Elfneh U. Bariso giving a key note speech at Bule Hora Univerity Symposium.

SHAKISO Girls' hostel update ----As we announced a while ago, AHEAD and UDA had secured £24,000 funding from Civil Society Support Programme to build a hostel for disadvantaged girls in Shakiso town in rural Ethiopia. The hostel will provide safe accommodation for destitute girls who do not have money to rent accommodation or have no family or friend to stay with to go to school. Without such support these young girls run risks for their well-being and exploitation. Capitalising on this success, AHEAD and UDA will raise funds for similar projects in disadvantaged children rural areas. AHEAD and UDA appreciate any support with these projects. The land for the hostel construction has been given to UDA/AHEAD by the Guji Zone and Shakiso Town administrations. The architectural design for construction has been completed. The construction work itself will be underway very soon. You can some pictures of our current hostel beneficiaries at our blog: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34228099#allposts You can contact AHEAD via: Telephone: +44 (0) 757 079 9157 or emal info@aheadcharity.org UDA/AHEAD have been renting this accommodation for about eight years. We hope that the new hostel will be better than the current provision. UDA/AHEAD are well aware that there hundreds and thousands of poor boys and girls, specially from the countryside unable to go to school at all. We believe that the society, the government, schools, citizens and nongovernmental organisations have the responsibility to tackle this problem and unable young people to participate in education and improve their life chances. Therefore, we call upon all to make contributions in any way they can to assist our youngsters to unlock their potentials. These are tomorrow's doctors, nurses, lowers, pilots, leaders, politician, poets, engineers, technologists etc. If they are deprived of the opportunities to learn, they fail as a generation, then we fail as a nation. We hope that no one wants that to happen. Let us show them in practice that we care about hem and about our future. Let deeds speak! Let practical examples lead us. No flowery empty words! Let them see that we mean it. Thank you very much in advance, in anticipation, for your kind assistance in helping fellow human beings. UDA/AHEAD

AHEAD hosts 10 German college students AHEAD and GEB London made a partnership arrangement for 10 German college students to visit AHEAD's office and the local area in east London. The visit was very successful. This educational visit aimed at raising the students' awareness of multiculturalism and active social participation such as running charities for good causes. Accompanied by Katarzyna Kacprzyk - GEB London, the visitor were warmly welcomed by Elfneh, Jaalannee and Rosie. Elfneh stated that “we are very friendly people and the very word Walthamstow means “Welcome”.

The group visited Vestry House Museum, which specialises in local history. Elfneh highlighted the link between the museum’s history and AHEAD’s charitable mission in that the Museum was built as workhouse for poor people in the locality. The inscription stone plaque erected above the entrance to mark the completion of the building reads: "if any would not work neither should he eat" More details about the Museum are available at: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/vestry-house

The students passed by the local Labour Party office, where they admired the 1000 face of Walthamstow which depict the multicultural communities in the constituency. They also saw the local Asian Community Centre, which now caters for all ethnic groups.

The guided tour also included also the Walthamstow market, the longest open market in Europe. They admired the real multiculturalism displayed through the diverse people and products from various countries they came across at the one mile long market. More details about the Museum are available at: https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/pages/servicechild/walthamstow-market.aspx

At AHEAD’s office in the Mill, a local community centre, Elfneh outlined the NGO’s projects in Ethiopia and London. He pointed out different challenges such as a lack of funding.

Rosie Apperley and Jaalannee Elfneh gave a presentation on multiculturalism. The students actively participated in the discussion, raised a number of questions and made comments. Elfneh linked the discussion.

Finally, Dr Stella Cressy, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Walthamstow, met the visitors, welcome to her constituency. She gave them a presentation on the British politics, history, the role of NGOs such as AHEAD in addressing social needs and promoting the spirit of internationalism.

At the end of the visit the students were given AHEAD’s certificate of participation.

Dr Stella Cressy, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Walthamstow and the AHEAD team warmly sent off the visitors. AHEAD and GEB London intend to carry out more similar educational projects in future.

Pupils learning how to use ICT equipment donated

The display of educational materials purchased for Adola Teachers Education College

AHEAD and A Ray of Hope Fund Adola Teachers' Education College - The two organisations have agreed to co-fund the College to purchase the educational resources the College needs to equip its newly formed English Language Improvement Centre (ELIC). The materials to be acquired soon will include: 1. Teaching Grammar 2. Presenting New Language 3. Simple Listening Activities 4. Simple Writing Activities 5. Simple Reading Activities 6. Simple Speaking Activities 7. Classroom English 8. Intercultural Activities 9. Cross-Curricular Activities 10. Practical English Usage 11. English Grammar in Use 12. Advanced Grammar in Use 13. Headway Elementary Student's Book 14. Headway Pre-Intermediate Student's Book 15. Headway Elementary Teacher's Book 16. Headway Pre-Intermediate Teacher's Book 17. English Language story books 18. Digital Camera 19. Laminator 20. 3 MP3 Players

Fund and awareness raising - The AHEAD fundraising team took part in a sport and cultural festival in West London. There were various sport activities and cultural displays – clothes, foods and drinks. The AHEAD’s team distributed AHEAD’s DVD, presented many cultural games such as saddeeqaa, qaphee, ja’aa and fe’iisaa hiik. Festival participants enjoyed the games and admired AHEAD’s good cause. A number of people made donation, obtained a copy of AHEAD’s DVD, while others pledge support. They also gave different suggestions on how AHEAD can raise funds and reach out to more supporters. A few people promised to adopt needy young people through AHEAD. The Mayor of the local Borough also came to AHEAD’S appreciated the charity’s work. The AHEAD's fundraising team AHEAD's DVD can be obtained by emailing info@aheadcharity.org or ring 0757 079 9157 The AHEAD's team with the local Mayor other officials Some of the cultural games AHEAD presented The team tried different strategies, assessed them and also divided itself into smaller groups and pairs to do the work efficiently.

Bule Hora University and AHEAD efforts continue - Bule Hora University and AHEAD contined with their efforts of building the capacity of the University. Dr Balako Gumi, Academic and Research Vice President and Dr Elfneh U. Bariso met in London and discussed strategies on how to moblise human and material resources for the University. They also travelled to Oxford and had a meeting with Dr Paul Jepson of Oxford University. After extensive discussion on the needs of Bule Hora Universities and various options to assist the University, an action plan for future collaboration was agreed. The action plan includes: · exploring a possibility of setting up an MSc programmes in areas such as Mining and Environmental Sciences · designing the curriculum for the newly planned MSc programmes · making an arrangements for Oxford PhD candidates to teach at Bule Hora University · helping with organising e-learning resources to support the Mining and Environmental Sciences programmes and other disciplines such English Languade education and pedagogy in general to enhance the University's provision · mobilising contacts to give Skpe lectures to Bule Hora University staff and students · continuing communicating and sharing ideas and documents via emails, Skype and google docs · liaising and linking with other UK agencies · assessing possibilities of grant funding to undertake research and development projects. Dr Balako explaining the needs of Bule Hora University and communities in its vicinity Dr Paul Jepson responding the Dr Balako and Dr Elfneh's explanation of the Bule Hora University's situation and what needs to be done.