The Enderta Regional Development Association (ERDA), which is a non-political, non-governmental and non-profit association, is established to promote and organized exclusively for development purposes to benefit the people who reside in the Enderta region of Tigrai, Ethiopia by increasing community participation in self-help development activities; and improving the quality of life in the Enderta community by combating disease, poverty and ignorance.
ERDA Started implementation of Zeroruha school project.
One of the primary objectives of ERDA is to help improve the teaching and learning environment in Enderta. As we all know there are several primary schools in the area that do not have class rooms. Students learn in a tent or under a tree without shelter and desk-chair. Obviously, this condition has a negative impact on the quality of education. Education plays a key role to fight poverty and enhance people’s life. ERDA is determined to fill this gap by organizing and mobilizing the community and outreach to all Deki Enderta in North America and beyond. Hence, in accordance to its objective, ERDA started implementation of the first project, Zeroruha.
In this regard, ERDA delegates one of its board member, Mr. Kiros Memchaw, to facilitate conditions on the ground for implementation of the project. During his two months stay back home, Mr. Kiros talked with prominent individuals, government officials and others, concerning ERDA’s goal and its readiness to participate in development endeavor. Following consultation with members of ERDA and concerned individuals, Mr. Kiros formed a construction committee of seven individuals to facilitate and follow up the project through its completion and beyond. We in ERDA believe construction of a school project is never easy. However, there are ways to ease the process and encourage the spirit of cooperation among Deki Enderta. With this in mind we put the right people, the committee, in place to manage and follow up the process of construction. Furthermore, the committee will also keep the entire school community and other responsible bodies informed about the progress of the project and share information on regular basis with chairman of ERDA.
Meanwhile, the committee and Mr. Kiros discussed with administrative officials how to proceed and accomplish the task in accordance to ERDA’s goal. There were a number of meetings held to discuss the issue. Thanks to the willingness of the government, hard work of the committee and Mr. Kiros, ERDA secured the project area for the construction. Now, we are determined more than any time else to finish this project and move to our next task.
On September 29, 2009 administration officials, the committee and Mr. kiros traveled to the project site and talked to the community including students. They were welcomed by the people of the Zereroha and the people expressed their excitement in different local songs. Following the welcome ceremony, the travelers met the students and teachers to exchange opinions concerning the project. Finally, Mr. Kiros laid a cornerstone. Knowing that the project increases access to education for their children, the people promised to volunteering, donating local material and labour for accomplishment of the project. We have received a significant cooperation from all concerned government officials in the area to secure the area for the project, in Zerorha. Definitely, this project will improve quality of education and greatly enhance the lively hood of thousands. The board of ERDA has taken a series of decisions to prompt a successful start of the construction since we secured the land. ERDA opened an account in Mekelle and transferred 25, 000 dollars to facilitate a smooth start of the construction. The first phase is already under construction as of the first week of January 2010. We want to thank everybody who contributed for the successful mission of our first project. Your help is requested in order to complete the construction of this school and bring this plan into reality.
Last Updated on Sunday, 31 January 2010 02:29
Sole Objective
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 16 September 2009 13:17
The sole objective of ERDA
As a development association, ERDA has a very noble objective to help the people of Enderta in their effort to tackle poverty. Nevertheless, the last few years were challenging to establish itself as a developmental association and to be in the front line to fight illiteracy and beyond. Some argued against the existence of ERDA for different reasons. They thought, there may be a sort of overlap with the work of other associations. Their concerns were addressed and discussed in different meetings. Consequently, there is a broad consensus among Deqi Enderta about the importance of the association and its role in development activities. However, as our chairman Mr. Kassa Tadesse told the audience in the Second Anniversary of ERDA in Denver, the road ahead may not be smooth. Thanks to determination of some Dequi Enderta, ERDA founds itself in a very strong position more than any time else and we promise again to work hard in front of obstacles. We also expect continued opposition from some folks who do not want us to support our area for some reason.
To fulfill its objective ERDA’s board selected a project, a school to be build in the near future. This project is in Zerorha, which is a 12 KM away from Mekele. Unlike its proximity to Tigray’s capital city, Zerorha elementary school is in a bad shape. The classes are held in tent or to be exact under a tree. These school kids do not have basic staff to continue their education; there are no chairs, no class rooms and books. These kids have a knee interest to go school under any condition. It is because of the lacks of basic needs, ERDA chose this school to build class rooms.
We contacted Tigray Bureau of education to start our project and they are happy and ready to help us to accomplish our duty. Some of board members of ERDA are currently on the ground, forming committees from the public and prominent individuals. Feasibility study will be conducted with help of professionals and as soon as we get the study we will post the project profile in our web site.
In a nutshell, we believe we will bring a change to our area if we are united and determined to help the disadvantaged in our area. It is not only Zerorha but we can do many projects in the years ahead. Regardless of what has been said we stand to gather to help our people.
