I have great news to report! Last month, after three years of fundraising and more than a year of construction, our school in Ethiopia, built by Saint David's boys in partnership with Save the Children and with the support of Mimi's Building Blocks, opened. The new school welcomed 288 boys and girls in pre-school through grade 4.
For the first time ever, Kalina children are able to attend school in a permanent facility with classrooms, administrative rooms, and latrines--previously they attended an open-air dass school. Their new school, The Saint David's Kalina School, uses a "one shift system" in which the children and their teachers remain in class from 8 AM through 12:15 PM each day.
The new faculty includes 2 male teachers, 5 females teachers and 1 male principal. All teachers are from the local area and most have completed Save the Children's Literacy Boost teacher component training; two were trained in basic school health and nutrition.
A Saint David's contingent will be traveling with me to Ethiopia this coming June to officially open the The Saint David's Kalina School. Our four prior Student Council Presidents and three members of the faculty will be making the trip, representing the faculty, staff and boys of Saint David's.
A commitment to the greater good is inherent in Saint David's mission. We are thrilled to be participating in this important effort to extend educational opportunities to people in areas of need, and look forward to continuing our support for this school--a 60th anniversary initiative successfully accomplished!
What a wonderful story! Congratulations to the Saint David's boys and their supporters for funding and organizing this wonderful venture. Maggie Barbieri
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