Ethiopian Project

Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS) Project

As submitted to: “Developing Scholars” Charity

In December of 2009, Developing Scholars undertook the funding of three schools in rural Ethiopia.


1.   Project Profile

Project Title: ADCS Education Program Support in Eastern Tigray
Project Location: 3 ADCS schools in Irob Woreda district, namely Magauma, Adaga & Engal
Project Beneficiaries: 823 (426 male and 397 female) students in the targeted area around the three schools
Project Applicant: Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat
Project Objective: To provide basic education services for 823 (426 male and 397 female) juvenile students from predominantly poor families in remote rural areas
Project Duration: Eight months (December 2009 to May 2011)
Project BudgetEth. Birr 455,000.00 equivalent to USD 35,000 (at the exchange rate of 1USD=13.00 ET. Birr)
Contact person and Address:

Abune Tesfaselassie Medhin Abba Tuem Berhe
Bishop of Adigrat Eparchy Secretary General,
P.O. Box 8 Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS)
Adigrat (Tigray) Ethiopia
P.O. Box 163, Adigrat (Tigray) Ethiopia
Tel.  +251-4-452138     Fax:  +251-4-452630
Tel.  +251-4-453030    Fax:  +251-4-45-28-29
E-mail: ceparad@ethionet.et    E-mail: adcs@ethionet.et

2. Background of the project applicant

2.1 Background:

The Eparchy of Adigrat is now 175 years old.

The Eparchy of Adigrat covers the whole Region of Tigray; an area of approximately 80,000 sq. kms; plus Zone 2 of the Afar Region, about 52,000 sq.kms; total of approx. 132,000 sq.kms. (Three and half times the size of Switzerland).

The Eparchy of Adigrat offers a variety of services for the people in the region: 6 health centres, 15 kindergartens, 26 primary schools, 2 non-formal schools, 3 colleges, 1 vocational school, 1 Major Seminary, 13 male- female religious and diocesan formation houses, 3 homes for the destitute cared for by the Missionaries of Charity, and 5 women’s promotion centres. There are 10 religious congregations working in the Eparchy; Missionaries of Africa (since 1967), Religious Teachers of Filippini (1969), Daughters of Charity (1973), Salesians of Don Bosco (1975), Ursuline Sisters (1991), Daughters of St. Anne (1994), Salesian Sisters (FMA) of St. John Bosco (1994), the Lazarists (CM, 2000), and Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne-Antide Thouret (2003).  Since 1834, Seminaries for the training of priests were maintained in various locations; Adwa, Guola, Alitena, Kudhanay, and Adigrat.

2.2 Background of ADCS:

The Diocesan of Adigrat is found in the north-eastern part of Ethiopia, and covers the whole regional state. It also covers some parts of the Afar region state. The geographical location of the region lays roughly 12 to 15 degrees North latitude & 36 to 41 degree East longitude. The total area of the region is estimated to be about 50,078.64 square kilometers and the total population of Tigray is around 5 million. The temperature of the project region varies from area to area based on altitude and ranges from 12-35 degree centigrade. Similarly the average annual rainfall fluctuates from 200 to 500 mm.

ADCS is a non-profit church organization established to respond to the spiritual and physical needs of all people regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion and race.  ADCS promotes integral human development through effective coordination and implementation of pastoral, social and development activities in a sustainable way.  ADCS focuses on the poorest of the poor, the vulnerable and supports their empowerment for self-reliance guided and inspired by Gospel values: such as Love, Respect for human dignity, Justice, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Common good and Respect for culture.  Our success is defined by the positive changes we help people to make in their own lives.  Since its establishment, the promotion of “integral human development” has been the overall goal of ADCS. With this goal in mind, the main priorities of ADCS have been related to responding to the material and spiritual needs of communities. The basic assumption has been that it is the communities themselves who can bring about positive change in their conditions, through individual and collaborative actions.

The region is one of the areas in Ethiopia which has critical economic & social problems. The major problems of the region relate to climate, topography and the alarming population growth. The problems are mainly manifested in the form of chronic food insecurity (malnutrition), high unemployment, and limited access to basic social & economic services.  As part of the regional community, the Catholic Church has been exerting maximum efforts towards mitigating the long-term social and economic problems there.  Accordingly, the Catholic Church has been involved in social development programs aimed at alleviating the economic problems of the target community.  The church also plays a significant role in promoting education services in the region. The contribution of the church in the overall education service of the region is very significant, especially in terms of reaching unreachable areas and providing services to marginalized people.  Thus, education is one among the social services that is becoming a means of survival in rural and partially urban communities.

Currently, ADCS runs 49 education institutions ranging from kindergarten to pre-accredited technical and vocational colleges.  In terms of students’ admission, the Adigrat Catholic Church contributes over 13,393 students (6,707 male & 6686 female). In addition to this, there are 748 teachers working in the academic year 2010.  Of the 49 Catholic schools, 25 schools are directly administered by ADCS while the remaining 24 are administered by religious congregations.  Of the total number of students under Catholic Church schools (13,393) 5305 have been learning in Diocesan schools while the remaining 8088 have been learning in congregations.  The figures indicate that the involvement of the church in education programming is immense and the contribution to the region is very significant. The church believes that education is a base for development, especially in areas where natural resources are heavily degraded and the livelihood options are very limited.  Thus, education programming has been one of the priority engagement areas for the Catholic Church because education is believed to be the basis for all sorts of development.

2.3 Background of the project area

Tigray region lies between 120 15’ – 140 27’ N to 360 27’– 390 59’ E. The region is known by its level of abject poverty, Ethiopia-Eritrean border conflict war, increased risk of drought, escalating spread of HIV/AIDS, and related factors which result to increase the level of chronic food insecurity and acute malnutrition. The region is one of areas, which have got critical economic & social problems. The major problems of the region include climatic, topographic and alarming population growth. The problems are mainly manifested in the form of chronic food insecurity (malnutrition), high unemployment, and limited access to basic social, health & economic services. As part and parcel of the overall regional community the Catholic Church has been exerting maximum efforts towards mitigating the long-term social and economic problems of the region. Accordingly, the Catholic Church has been involved in social development programs aimed at alleviating the economic problems of the target community.

Irob Woreda (district) is one the districts of Tigray which is located between 1407′ to 14010′ N latitude and 390 30′ to 40000′ E longitude at about 150 kms north of Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray Region. It is located at the far north of Ethiopia bordered by Eritrea in the north and the Afar Region in the east.  The total area of Woreda is estimated at 850 km2, with a landscape consisting of rugged mountains, hills, high plateaus and deep valley bottoms.  The altitude varies from 900 meters above sea level at Endeli Valley to the peak mountain Asimba that is 3200 meters above sea level.  Most of the people live in areas ranging from 1500 to 2700 meters above sea level.

The climate of the area is characterized by inadequate and erratic rainfall, with an average annual rainfall of less than 300mm and a mean annual temperature of 200c at Alitena.  The population of the Woreda, the Wereda people,  is 31,010.  They were known to inhabit the area some 700 years ago and were once pastoralists which solely depended upon animal production using grasses and forests that were ample during that time. The Wereda have about 1200 hectares under cultivation (1.4% of the total area of the Woreda).  About 35700 hectares (40%) is covered by short bushes and forests and the rest (60%) is covered by cactus, by grazing lands, and rocky outcrops.  More than 95% of the people live in rural areas, and totally depend on mixed type of agriculture for their livelihoods.

4. Problem Statements and Relevance

4.1 Problem statement of the project

The Catholic Schools have long been serving as a main source of modern education for Ethiopia.  Adigrat Catholic Church has been one of the primary actors in providing education services in rural and urban settings in Tigray for over one and a half centuries now. Although ADCS is pushing to provide education to those areas, it has faced a critical funding shortage to run the schools and the financial contributions from the poverty stricken parents is meager.  Thus, it remains dependent for most of its funding on donations from benevolent organizations and individuals to run the program.  ADCS is under pressure from the government as well as the communities to continue running at least those schools that it has been running for years and to expand new ones. Currently the ADCS education program has a high budget deficit to run the schools and to serve the children predominately from poor families in the rural areas. Critical problems in ADCS schools can be summarized as follows:

  • Limited funds to run the schools, cover the costs of teacher’s salary, purchase stationary materials and other reading & reference materials
  • Limited funds for the training of teachers to improve the standards of the education provided
  • Lack of funds to upgrade and to maintain the old buildings and furniture
  • Lack of a potable water supply in the schools

4.2 Relevance of the project

It is unquestionable that access to basic education plays significant role in any country’s development.  It also broadens an individual’s choice to pursue livelihood options.

The Adigrat Catholic Church has been one of the primary actors in providing education services in rural and urban settings in Tigray for over one and a half centuries now.  Even though the government is trying to provide basic education for all, it will be years before it covers all the needs and demands in the area.  There are still areas which do not have access to school services.  Therefore, reaching these areas through alternative education service is still a crucial issue today.  The education services being provided in the existing schools is highly appreciated by the communities; in terms of building ethical citizens and well-performing students.

5. Overall Goals and Objectives

5.1 Overall goal:

  • To improve  the  lives of the children in the targeted community through improved access to education

5.2 Specific objective:

  • To provide basic education services  for 823 (426 male and 397 female) children and juveniles from predominantly poor families in remote rural areas

6. Project Activities and Management

  • Teachers’ salary payments every month
  • Stationary material purchases
  • Undertaking maintenance of old buildings and furniture

7.  Audit

To examine and evaluate the financial activities of the project and ensure an independent appraisal, auditing will be carried out.  The project will be audited at the end of the project life by hiring a certified external auditor.  The auditing will be carried out based on the auditing requirements of the donor and ADCS.  The auditor will provide a prompt, clear and brief final audit report to the appropriate bodies.  The report will at least contain the following major points:

  • Objective of the audit and scope of engagement
  • General procedures utilized by the auditor during auditing
  • Specific findings of the audit
  • Recommendations for corrective actions, by management

8. Project Budget and project period

The project period is eight months from May 2010 to December 2011 and the total budget will be Ethiopian Birr 455,000.00 roughly equivalent to USD 35,000 (at exchange rate   of 1USD =13.00 ET. Birr)

9. Annexes

  • Budget details
  • School teachers
  • Photos of the schools

Detailed budget

Budget Breakdown
Total cost
No Description (Budget title) unit in Birr in USD
1 Salary expense Lump sum 276608 21278
2 Provident fund Lump sum 33192 2553
3 Severance payment Lump sum 34576 2660
4 Stationary material Lump sum 7563 582
5 External audit fee Lump sum 20000 1538
6 Maintenance of school building Lump sum 10400 800
7 Salary of education Supervisor 20x2171xx8 Lump sum 3474 267
8 Predium of education supervisor Lump sum 3001 231
9 Maintenance of school building Equipments Lump sum 2500 192
10 Fuel and lubricants Lump sum 6686 514
11 Repair of vehicle Lump sum 7000 538
12 Upgrading of 3 teachers Lump sum 50000 3846
Total Lump sum 455000 35000

Kidanemehret, Engal

No Name School A B 12% A+B+C
Monthly Directors provide Gross
Salary allawance Fund Salary
1 W/Gabriel T/Giorgis Engal 1,172.00 140.64 1,312.64
2 Abeba Yohannes ,, 1,172.00 140.64 1,312.64
3 Almaz G/Tsadik ,, 1,019.00 122.28 1,141.28
4 Tesfay Berhe ,, 1,545.00 90.00 185.40 1,820.40
5 G/silasie Kahsay ,, 1,172.00 140.64 1,312.64
6 Hagos Lemlem ,, 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
7 Tium Beyene ,, 1,287.00 154.44 1,441.44
8 Hagos Berhe ,, 1,410.00 169.20 1,579.20
9 Desta Girmay ,, 1,287.00 154.44 1,441.44
10 Tesfay Hailu ,, 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
11 Hagossa Beyene ,, 1,347.00 161.64 1,508.64
12 Hayesh Tessema ,, 300.00 36.00 336.00
Total 13,949.00 90.00 1,673.88 15,712.88

St. Gabriel, Magauma

No Name School A B 12% A+B+C
Monthly Directors Provident Gross
Salary allawance Fund Salary
1 Assefa Gebray Magauma 2,115.00 253.80 2,368.80
2 Roman Alema ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
3 Hayelom Abraha ,, 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
4 Berihu Alema Hagos ,, 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
5 Haftu Abreha ,, 884.00 106.08 990.08
6 Rozina Tsaedu ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
7 Tsega T/haimanot ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
8 Siyum  Gebray ,, 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
9 Abrehet Tesfay ,, 801.00 96.12 897.12
10 Fana Tesfay ,, 1,172.00 140.64 1,312.64
11 Hailay Kahsay ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
Total 10,833.00 1,299.96 12,132.96

St. Jacob, Adaga

No Name School A B 12% A+B+C
Monthly Directors Provident Gross
Salary allawance Fund Salary
1 Hagos   Tesfay Adaga 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
2 Teum  Hagos ,, 1,119.00 134.28 1,253.28
3 Tinsae  Suba ,, 2,023.00 242.76 2,265.76
4 Abeba    Gebray ,, 1,172.00 140.64 1,312.64
5 Nigusse Gidey ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
6 Zufan Brihu ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
7 W/silasie Tesfay ,, 841.00 100.92 941.92
8 Abeba Woldu ,, 801.00 96.12 897.12
9 Tewodros Fitwi ,, 841.00 100.92 941.92
10 Sara Tesfay ,, 626.00 75.12 701.12
Total 9,794.00 1,175.28 10,969.28

Kidanemehret School, Engal

St. Jacob School, Adaga

St. Gabriel School, Magauma

We remain with deep gratitude for your generous support of our educational services for the betterment of young people, and with our best wishes for the success of your firms through which you reach and serve the society including the poor,

Abune Tesafselassie Medhin Abba Teum Berhe

Bishop of Adirgat Eparchy Secretary General, ADCS

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