News from Ethiopia

The last cohort of year 12 Underhill Scholarship girls who gained a place on the university foundation course have now finished their studies. We are delighted to report that 6 of them have gained entrance to a full university course. This is a huge achievement and a testimony to the girls hard work and dedication to make the most of the skills they were taught when living in Toby’s house.. 

We are excited to report that over the summer months the external walls of Prudence House (extension to the girls education centre) have been completed and the roof has been added and sealed. Work is ongoing but we hope to have the building completed within the next 12 months. 

The land given for the extension of the girls education centre also includes a field that will hopefully be developed into a kitchen / market garden. The aim is for the girls to learn and develop agricultural skills they can bring back to their families and villages as well as provide an income to support the running of the centre. 
Until this project can be developed the land has been sown with Teff, which is a staple grain in Ethiopia. 

Upcoming Event: An online evening of Ethiopian storytelling with renowned author Elizabeth Laird. Tuesday 12th September 19.30-21.00

Join us on Ethiopian new year to hear from author Elizabeth Laird about her work and Ethiopia travels. 

This online event is in support of Small But Significant, a network of small UK-Ethiopian charities, of which For-ethiopia is a member. 

Elizabeth Laird is an award-winning children’s author who has lived in Ethiopia, travelled across Ethiopia and had many adventures there (including being introduced to Emperor Haile Selassie, hitching a ride on an oil tanker across the Danakil Desert, and being arrested – briefly – for a murder she didn’t commit!).

She has written two novels set in Ethiopia and is responsible for a project aimed at collecting Ethiopian folktales across the country.

The event is an online event that will take place on Ethiopian New Year – Tuesday September 12th – from 19.30 to 21.00. The event is being held in support of Small But Significant and any donation is welcomed to attend. Please contactadministrator@for-ethiopia.com for more information including how to access the online event

Twice we have done THE run in Addis Abba, and twice, since the pandemic, we have done a remote run here in Bristol.
Next year, 2024, we hope to be back in Addis, but this year we are planning to run remotely again on Sunday. 19th November-the same day as The Great Ethiopian Run.
At this point, I am getting a group together and I am looking for those who might like to join us. We have a 10k circuit on the Downs, and will run at 10.00am. The cost will be £35 to cover formal registration, running shirt – and medal, if you make it!
If you are interested, please let me know asap together with the size of shirt you need.
Sue.thomas@for-ethiopia.com

Tim Roberts
1943-2023

In July we were sad to say farewell to Tim Roberts a longtime friend and staunch supporter of For Ethiopia. Tim was an Agricultural Consultant of great experience and humanity, who we first met ‘in the field’ – Addis Alem.  He will be greatly missed.