A few weeks before embarking on this mammoth journey, in one of my few free moments, I decided to write a new CV, and begin exploring the possibilities of what to do next. Of course I am still committed to developing ‘Patchwork World’ long into the future, but it is a question of through which approach. ‘Patchwork World’, I have started to understand, is a representation of my own philosophy towards development. It is a key platform for the sharing and promotion of this philosophy, but as much as we encourage charities to cooperate and collaborate, I feel it is important for me, as an individual, to do so also.
The very existence of ‘Patchwork World’, as a charity, came from the result of an overpowering desire to ‘do more’. This passion had bubbled up over the years I spent working for established charities, but without really scratching the surface. I am young, I have energy, passion, and I believe good ideas on how to progress development work. Being confined to a desktop computer and databases, or throwing everything into promoting events wasn’t enough for me. I had a desire to change things, not from an activist mindset, nor from a bureaucratic mindset, but rather from the bridge in between, and to me that is the key.
During this entire project, over the past four years, I have encountered many interesting and positive charities, and I’m happy to name a few of the ones that stand out to me.
Gemini-i: Gemin-i is an educational charity helping children around the world share ideas and work together for a brighter future. Through a whole host of innovative partnerships and initiatives, Gemin-i really succeeds terrifically in achieving its vision. (www.gemin-i.org)
Shelterbox : Shelterbox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Focussing on the immediate aftermath of a disaster, Shelterbox are often the first on the ground of a disaster helping to provide food, shelter, medicines, and hope to millions of people who have lost everything. (www.shelterbox.org)
Starehe Schools : Starehe Boys' Centre and School is unique for a Kenyan independent school in that it educates at least 70% of its students free, and the rest at a reduced rate. This stems from its founding charter as a charitable school. School fees are paid on a means-tested basis, with substantial subsidies paid by the school, so that students from all walks of life are able to have a comprehensive, high-quality, public school education that would otherwise be beyond their means. (www.starehe.org)
The above three organisations have something in common, and that is that they all achieve their stated objectives to an incredible degree. Gemin-i connects over 60,000 young people in 122 countries worldwide. Not only this, but through innovation and partnerships achieves a huge amount of success in helping to create global citizens for the future. Shelterbox, in a relatively short time, has become one of the leading charities on the ground in the event of natural disasters. Having a clear and concise mission statement, has lead them to achieve their goals successfully, and earn plaudits from organisations working around them. Again cooperation has played a key role. Starehe Schools is repeatedly in the top three schools in the whole of Kenya, in terms of academic success, and one third of all trainee doctors in Kenya's public universities were educated at Starehe.
This brings me nicely, in a roundabout way, to my news, and to the organisation EEF (Ethiopian Education Foundation), where we spent four days last week. Occasionally, an organisation has something even more exciting than the success of the three above-mentioned charities. Sometimes there is also an energy attached to a project, which represents its incredible potential – a potential to grow, and to evolve, and to provide real tangible progressive solutions to not only a community, but also a nation, and perhaps even eventually the world. It is what I like to call the ‘Patchwork Effect’ - pieces being laid out to help create a path of positive progression to individuals, communities, and nations, laying firm foundations, on which the people of a nation can build upon from the inside.
The EEF journey began in 2003, when some of its board members went on an expedition to Ethiopia. Wanting to learn more about the education system there, they visited a school in the agricultural town of Jinka, and were incredibly moved by what they saw. An unbelievable passion to learn amidst difficult and challenging environments, and lifestyles, is a common trait of many developing countries. I saw it myself in Tanzania, in 2003, and the EEF team saw the same in Jinka, Ethiopia. In particular the team were inspired by the story of one boy, Ephram.
Ephrem, 12, was living with his young brother and his bed-ridden mother in a single-room made of mud with no electricity or running water. Although at school, Ephrem worked part time in the local butter market to help feed his family. At home he had no space to study and living in these conditions he would never have the chance to reach his full potential. Ephrem’s mother had a long-term illness and could not provide for him so with her blessing they paid for him to travel to Addis Ababa and sit the entrance exam at the School of Tomorrow, one of the countries best private schools.
He was accepted, and so they found him a nice room to stay in Addis for only £25 per month, and thus enabled him to receive the education he deserved. Ephrem is now at Addis Ababa University studying computer science. Inspired by Ephrem’s story the three returned to the UK with a vision to create positive change in Ethiopia by giving children like Ephrem the chance to study at the School of Tomorrow in Addis. From that vision EEF was formed.
Since then, EEF has grown incredibly fast, and has already had an incredible level of success, with all of its pupils achieving excellent results. Each one of the EEF students to pass through the system so far, has gone on to study at University, and this year two of them achieved full scholarships to the New York University in Abu Dhabi, giving them an immeasurable opportunity to learn and to achieve.
As a result of the poor living conditions of many of the pupils EEF support, they now also have two purpose built hostels (boys and girls) where a high percentage of its students reside. Built in the shadows of the ‘School of Tomorrow’, in Addis, it gives the students a perfect community to learn and to grow collectively, truly inspiring them to become positive citizens of the future, and it is here that my news eventually comes.
After applying for the position online, and following a phone interview, and meeting Glenn and Achim (two of the founding members) in person, I was offered the position of ‘Boys Hostel Manager’ with EEF in Addis Ababa, to commence in September, after the completion of the ‘Real Way Down’ project. I can’t tell you how incredibly excited I am about this, as it really gives me the opportunity to throw all of my energy into a project for which I feel so much connection and positivity towards. I will be responsible for ensuring that the new boys settle into their new environment, as well as ensuring that they develop well in and out of school. As well as being responsible for their day-to-day needs, I will also work to develop extra curricular activities to supplement their academic studies, and create truly positive citizens for the future.
The simplicity of the ‘EEF’ model, and the incredible levels of success that they are already achieving is what I believe creates such firm foundations on which to build. Their intake is based upon a combination of examination results, application, interview, and a home visit, as well as discussions with their current school staff. They have links to several government ‘feeder’ schools around Ethiopia, and really this model goes a long way to ensuring that the potential of some of Ethiopia’s most gifted young people is achieved.
The potential of EEF, I believe, is truly limitless, and I feel proud and blessed to be a part of its progression. I would like to think Glenn, Achim and the entire EEF team for giving me this opportunity. Also, I would like to thank Dee and all of the children for the incredible welcome we received when we were there last week, and I can’t wait to back as soon as physically possible.
There are also a couple of guest rooms in the hostel, available at very low rates, so if any of you want to come out and visit the work we do in Addis Ababa, at the same time as visiting one of Africa’s most culture rich capitals, just drop me a line, and we will sort something out for 2012.
For more information, please visit the EEF website at
www.ethio-ed.org
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