An Inauguration ceremony took place on 29 December, 2011 to mark the completion of “The Project for the Construction of the First Cycle Kidistemariam Primary School in Atsbiwenberta, Tigray”.  The project was funded by the Japanese government through its Grant in-aid-scheme for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), amounting to USD 105,856, and was implemented by the Tigray Development Association.  H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project together with Ato Gobezay Weldaregay, Head of the Tigray Regional Education Bureau, President of the Tigray National Regional State, Ambassador Tewolde Gebru, Executive Director of the Tigray Development Association, local government representatives, as well as community members of Dibab-akoren village.

Improving the educational environment is a great challenge in Ethiopia, and the Atsbiwomberta Woreda is no exception.  The Kidistemariam Primary School suffered for many years without the minimum standard of infrastructure and facilities necessary for the students to study and to thrive.  For instance, the students used hard rocks as chairs and tables in dark classrooms with one small window, and the discomfort made it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies.

With this project, one block with four classrooms and another block with administration offices and a library have been newly constructed and fully furnished.  A toilet block has also been built as well as a shallow well to supply safe water for students and teachers.  As a result, the educational environment is now drastically improved.  In addition, 195 students who did not have access to school can be newly enrolled.  A total of 400 students and teachers will enjoy great benefits.

H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, in his speech at the inauguration ceremony, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Tigray Development Association for its strong commitment to the completion of the project.  He also appreciated the community members for their active participation in the project by offering their labor, construction materials, etc.  The ambassador also expressed his sincere hope that the children in Dibab-akoren Village will enjoy the full benefits of this project and will build the foundation of their future through education.  Through mutual cooperation, the Ambassador stressed, the Embassy of Japan will continue to work for the economic and social benefit of underprivileged people in the rural areas of Ethiopia.

Since 1997, the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia has supported around 300 Grassroots Human Security Projects throughout Ethiopia, in education, water supply, agriculture, health and other areas of basic human needs.  In JFY 2011 (April 2011- March 2012), the Embassy of Japan has already granted 10 GGP projects and is planning to award another eight projects by the end of its fiscal year.