An Inauguration ceremony took place on 6 February, 2012 to mark the completion of “The Project for the Provision of Equipment for the Selam Technical and Vocational Center in Addis Ababa”.  The project was funded by the Japanese government through its Grant in-aid-scheme for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) amounting to USD 89,444, and was implemented by Selam Children’s Village an Ethiopian NGO.  Mr. Hajime Kitaoka, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project, together with Ato Zenebe Tesfaye, General Manager of the Selam Children’s Village, as well as members of the community.

In Ethiopia, although the demand for galvanized products is very high both in urban and rural areas, presently the demand is not satisfied and some of the galvanized goods are imported from abroad due to the shortage of galvanized products manufacturing units.  In particular, the growing needs for galvanized hand pumps is remarkable.  However, the main constraint for large scale production is beset by the above-mentioned factor. 

With the establishment of a galvanizing plant, and along with their profound engineering capability, the Selam Technical and Vocational Center can now design, fabricate and galvanize a wide range of items, including hand pumps.  Once the hand pump manufacturing begins, it will have a wide impact, including increasing potable water coverage in the country.  This will lead to a positive health impact nationwide and minimize the burden of women and children to fetch water, which ultimately improve human productivity.  Also this active technology transfer will promote import substitution.  With this project, around 350 students at the Center will attain galvanizing skills every year.

The Center is now looking for and welcoming manufacturing orders from throughout Ethiopia.  Interested persons may contact the Selam Technical and Vocational Center: 011-646-292.