At the beginning of our activities, things only happened in Aksum when we were there ourselves. This has changed a lot in recent years: we not only have 22 members in Aksum – they are also very active and do a lot – even when we are not there ourselves!
That’s why we would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone who lives our idea so wonderfully in Aksum when we are not there, and thus helps the people directly.

However, it is important to us to visit our projects ourselves and actively participate when we are there. This was no different this time – and we were able to achieve this during our trip:

 

Elementary School Endayesus:

Not much “happened” here last year because the school is generally finished. For this project, we had the Obermenzinger Gymnasium on our side with their donations. We still have some of this money left over.

That’s why we held a meeting with the school and the community. The school stated that a copier/printer was urgently needed. In consultation with the community, it was decided to purchase one, along with a table and materials. The remaining funds will be used to purchase power poles to improve the energy supply in the community.

 

 

May Berazyo Elementary School:

Generally speaking, the construction was finished, as promised by our construction manager in 2024. However, there were some defects that needed to be addressed.

All follow-up work, which we commissioned ourselves with the support of our trusted partner Asefaw, was also completed. This included the second roof for the entire building and a 10,000-liter tank, which was placed on a pedestal and connected to the gutters.

In May Berazyo, the floors upon handover were also similar to those we had experienced in other projects and are common in Ethiopia. As a result, the floors are so uneven that tables and benches wobble severely. Therefore, we decided to have another screed poured. Since the rooms cannot be used during this time, the work will be carried out during the summer holidays.

 

 

Emergency aid:

There are still many people in need and malnourished babies. This issue has been very prominent due to the war and has since become a “project” where we want to help the people who help every day. Here’s how we were able to help:

 

Handing over a monetary donation to the “Hawelti” district, where a meal is planned for the needy.

Participation/collaboration in three meal programs for around 570 people in need in Aksum – including purchasing and preparation.

Donation for 10 additional meal programs for these people in need.

Purchasing rice for 50 days.

Distribution of donations at the Referral Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital to a total of 41 babies/children who were severely malnourished and, in some cases, also sick.

Handing over bandages to the hospitals.

Further information can be found directly on our project.

 

 

Women’s Project “Selam”:

After we were “only” able to initiate this project in 2024, the women were trained as beekeepers and given land after our departure last year. The flower boxes from our art project were handed over to Selam. Beehives and colonies, as well as other necessary materials, were procured.

During our trip, there were several visits – we were given the exclusive opportunity to taste the first honey – it turned out to be delicious.

The women seem very motivated and are doing everything they can to make the project a success – with the goal of being able to live off it without our help in the medium term.

 

Our support for successful implementation:

Paying the salaries of three helpers for 6 months

Purchase of a wax-making device

Purchase of a candle-making machine

Purchase of candle-making materials

Purchase of 13 beehives

Purchase of 10 additional queen bee breeding attachments

Purchase of two additional protective equipment items

Meeting with a contact person from the district with the goal of providing the women with access to water for the project

Further information can be found directly in our project.

 

 

Hawelti Mobile:

Even before our trip, there was a lot of new inspiration and information in Germany, which was of great benefit to us in Aksum.

In Aksum, we then held several meetings with the city and district school authorities for this project. As a result, we will reconsider this project with the new opportunities available – we will definitely implement the basic idea, but perhaps using different means.

Further information can be found directly in our project.

 

 

What else did we experience…

Visit to the Hawelti School and Megabit 18 School

Members’ meeting with our 22 members in Aksum on January 3, 2025

Many discussions with the city, NGOs, hospitals, schools, and other partners

Travel to Addis Ababa with Asefaw for the audit