The Phoenix of Hawzien
Ethiopia: The non-profit association FINKS SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT HAWZIEN was founded in 2002. So far four kindergarten teachers are in charge of more than 100 children. For the future, the initiative aims for their goal to bring a Waldorf School into being with at first 4 grades.
In June 1988, the communist dictator Mengistu ordered to punish the Rebels in the North of the country. So during one day, Hawzien was heavily bombed with napal bombs. The aftermath of the horrible attack revealed 2500 dead bodies in the streets of the city. Ten years later, the following war between Ethipia and Eritrea caused the flow of many people to the Northern border region; they fled to Hawzien. Until today, it is especially the children who suffer from the consequences of the events.
The Association Phoenix of Hawzien was given 30.000 square meters of land by the mayor. This donation was connected with the task to build up the necessary facilities for a kindergarten. When the construction plan was finally approved in 2005, there was nothing remaining, which could eventually stop the initiative. During the following weeks and months a lot of workmen were tirelessly busy with the construction of the kindergarten. All of their work was based on manual labor. In September 2006 the kindergarten Hiwotay Merebet (“a sheltered home”) was finally inaugurated.
The establishment of a kindergarten, funded by donations, is just the first step of a steady ladder of goals, which the association is envisioning for the future. As the city of Hawzien is not only financially quite weak, but also holds completely overcrowded schools, it is only reasonable that a Waldorf School is to be developed as soon as possible. In order to give the population a better understanding of the value of education the plan includes and afternoon school to begin with. The purpose of this step is to provide an afternoon program starting after the official end of the public schools. That way the population will slowly get to know the Waldorf curriculum and as the time passes the possibility will develop for a smooth transition from an afternoon- to a regular school.
So far, the association remains dependant on donations. But in the future, a bakery, as well as other institutions are set to be developed, in order to eventually contribute to the school’s funding with their products.
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