American and Ethiopian Partners Celebrate Completion of New Facilities at Abiot Ermeja Primary School

November 19, 2007
No. 55/07

Today in Addis Ababa , American and Ethiopian partners celebrated the completion of the Abiot Ermeja primary school as a symbol of strong cooperation between the two countries.  At the dedication ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto stressed the U.S. government's commitment to a secure, stable and prosperous Ethiopia .  Deputy Commander of the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Brigadier General Sanford Holman came to Addis Ababa from Djibouti to celebrate the school's dedication.  He said, “This school is a demonstration of the American people's faith in the people of Ethiopia , an investment in the lives and future of our friends here in Addis Ababa.”

Working with USAID-Ethiopia and the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa , two Naval Marine Construction Battalion detachments upgraded facilities at the Abiot Ermeja primary school, as requested by the local community and approved by the Addis Ababa Bureau of Education.  Over ten months, civilian and military partners worked together to construct new walls and roofing for school buildings, build a new library, and install new sanitation facilities and drainage systems. The USAID Program Office provided furniture for the new buildings and coordinated sanitation training for teachers and students.

The new school facilities will benefit 1200 Ethiopian students, improving their education environment and sanitary conditions.  Nancy Estes, USAID-Ethiopia Program Office Chief, emphasized, “We want all Ethiopian students to learn in an environment that helps them be the best students they can be.  We are proud to work together – with the leadership of the Ministry of Education – to help you achieve your goals as teachers and students.”

Contributions from the Principal Woizero Kebebush Mekonnen and the rest of the Abiot Ermeja Primary School, as well as other local community leaders, were vitally important to the completion of this project.

The Abiot Ermeja Primary School project underscores the United States Government commitment to supporting local communities in their own efforts to improve the lives and futures of their citizens.  As Brigadier General Holman noted in his remarks today, “All we did was build a few walls and a roof or two.  These walls can't teach the children of Addis Ababa.  It is the educators of today who hold the responsibility for shaping the leaders of tomorrow and the future of Ethiopia, and it is an opportunity for this community to make this project a true success.”

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