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BREDRIN and SISTREN
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HISTORY
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We started in the year 2001 becoming a fully fledged society with an original budget of £100. The following year we received a budget of £200 and in 2004 we received a budget of £1000, unfortunately due to time constraints we were unable to utilise this budget to the best of our advantage. In 2005 our budget was £200. The society was brought to life from an idea after a visit to Shashamane, to help to raise funds and publicize the various community projects that are taking place in Shashamane, Ethiopia, that are in need of funds in order for their completion. Over the last four years we have worked hard to establish ourselves and have gained a loyal following of members and volunteers that have helped us in our cause. Well as you can see there is a lot of work to be done. Why not get on board, you will be surprised what we can do when we put our heads and hearts together.So far we have played in SOAS, London, Planet Brasil and Jollof Cafe, Brussels and at the Alternate Paniche, Paris
ETHIOPIA
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The Ethiopian calendar (Amharic: ye'Ityopya zemen a?o?a?er) or Ethiopic calendar is the principal calendar used in Ethiopia and is also the liturgical year of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church where it is known as the Ge'ez calendar. It is based on the older Alexandrian or Coptic calendar, which is based on the even older Egyptian calendar, but like the Julian calendar, it adds a leap day every four years without exception, and begins the year on August 29 or August 30 in the Julian calendar.Like the Coptic calendar, the Ethiopian calendar has twelve months of 30 days each plus five or six epagomenal days (usually called a thirteenth month). Furthermore, its months begin on the same days as those of the Coptic calendar, but they have different names, that are in Ge'ez. The sixth epagomenal day is added every four years without exception on August 29 in the Julian calendar, six months before the Julian leap day. Thus the first day of the Ethiopian year, 1 Mäskäräm, for years between 1901 and 2099 (inclusive), is usually September 11 (Gregorian), but falls on September 12 (Gregorian), in years before the Gregorian leap year
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UPDATE ON SHASHAMANE 2008 by Ras Adam
The Update is followed by a wish list of things I would like to accomplish before I leave in July. I would appreciate your help. We get financial support each month from the Shashemane Foundation which covers the vital items such as salaries and utilities. There is not much else to do the improvements which I would like to see implemented. Hopefully, you can help. The smallest -US$10. Please identify which project you would like to do or contribute to. That way, I can send pictures to show completion, and you can feel a part of the effort.Sending by Western Union is not bad for small amounts - To Angela Heron Shashemane, Ethiopia is all you need. The form normally asks for a test question to ensure that the money is collected by the right person. If this is your route of choice, you will need to email me the WU number, and the test question and answer.For those who have larger sums to send (WOW), you may feel more comfortable sending by bank transfer so that you have a bank record in case you need to claim a tax refund. If this is your choice, please alert me so that I can follow up with the bank. It takes 1-2 weeks.I look forward to your positive response.Love Bunny/Angela 2008 UPDATE ON THE JAMAICAN RASTAFARIAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL (JRDC) IN SHASHEMANEBackground The Rastafarian Community in Ethiopia recognized the need to embark on development in Shashamane, where most had settled. A local community organization was first formed and registered in 1991 by Rastafarians from the different Mansions as the Jamaican Rastafarian Community (JRC) which evolved into a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) registered with the Federal Government in December 2001 with the word “Development†added (JRDC). A project document was developed with the experienced assistance of Sis Shirline Hall, the consensus of the community and consistent with the aims and policies of the Federal Democratic Government of Ethiopia. The long term project objective was the establishment of the Shashamane Education, Skill Training and Recreation Centre the first phase of which was a community school for all children; those of Rastafarians as well as the local population.Earlier efforts at education involved home schooling by two brethren, Karl Hamilton and then Donald Leach. The arrival and fresh input of Albert Allen, ‘Teach’ transformed these early educational efforts into a school housed in zinc shed on space donated by the Twelve Tribes of Israel HQ in Shashamane. Albert Allen further consolidated the educational pioneering efforts by moving the school to another level .. administered by Sis. Joan Douglas where he was assisted by co-founders Janet McLaughlin and Yosef Leach. This was a modest school in a ‘chicka’ or wattle and daub building with 4 teachers and 30 children. At this stage, (year 2000) the Shashamane Foundation Inc. USA began working with the JRDC and the school by creating international awareness of their endeavours, keeping fundraisers to send operational funds to pay staff and erecting two new block and steel classroom buildings. These efforts enabled growth in 2001 to a student population of 150, and15 members of staff.Agreement was reached between the JRDC, now a legal community NGO, and the School’s founders and Principal to include the already existing school as the first phase of The Shashamane Education, Skill Training and Recreation Centre Project. This enabled it to obtain legal ‘not for profit’ assistance from both local and international donors, accountable to the Ethiopian Government and supporters. The school received approval and certification from Ethiopian Education Authorities in May 2003 and was registered as the Jamaican Rastafarian Kindergarten and Elementary School executed by the JRDC. Increased financial support from the international community facilitated continued growth and expansion - a new library was constructed, and in 2004, six new classrooms for grades 1-8 of the elementary school were added and the Kindergarten (KG) facility was expanded including a play facility, consisting of a slide and swings. The year after, a school feeding programme was implemented with the support of Focus on Africa, a non profit group in Canada. In recent years other major developments and donors included: ?A secure metal gate with stone cut columns ( replacing a zinc gate) the Rastafarian community of Hartford, Connecticut,USA, through the Shashamane Foundation; ? A new art room – A Brother in London, England ? Sanitary facilities for male and female students with separatetoilets and a shower for staff - the Bob Marley/Rita MarleyFoundation; ? School Administrative Offices - Motherland Promotions of theTwelve Tribes of Israel in Jamaica; ?International financial support also came from NEURO inGermany, Le-Reunion, and 12 Star Activity, Manchester,England, Ghetto Youth Foundation, Bob Marley Music, King of Kings Foundation, Motherland International Relations, RAS Inc.,P&M Promotions and many other individuals and organizations. ?In Ethiopia: Friends from the UN, JRDC Board and, community members and visitors to the school.
The ‘sponsor-a-child’ program initiated by the Shashamane Foundation has been a major strategy to secure funding for the central operational fund to pay staff and other expenses, as the school receives no Government Funding and Primary Education is free.Current Developments and Challenges In September 2007, an Acting Director, Sis Bunny Asher – (Angela B. Heron) a volunteer from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Jamaica, and Board member of two Donor Organizations to the project, was appointed by the JRDC in order to restore the stability of the rapidly growing school initially established by the team of co-founders. Sis. Bunny, who comes with years of experience in administration from the UWI has continued the recruitment of suitable staff; the introduction of proper educational management practices following guidelines set by the Education Authorities and compulsory regional and national rules for NGOs and assisted with the production of reports to the appropriate Ethiopian Authorities to ensure that reporting obligations are up to date. The previously used system of Home Room teachers, Department Heads and a Unit Leader, was re-established, and has facilitated the co-ordination of the staff and more efficient running of the School. The Class rooms – three in the Kindergarten and eight in the Elementary sections are now enhanced by teaching aids. Children are being given weekly tests to indicate the status of the learning, and teachers are being monitored and evaluated to ensure that teaching standards are maintained and improved where necessary. There are now 19 teachers, a secretary, an Acting Director, one Librarian, and 6 ancillary staff.In the recent past there have been problems relating to the management and ownership of the school. This has been resolved in the re-affirmation of the JRDC as the responsible and accountable body for the school. With reorganization under the new provisional management team, the overcrowded school population of 540 (caused from the local government closing some of their own schools) was reduced through conflict and resolution to manageable and desirable numbers of under 300, a situation in which students can receive better individualized attention because of a lower student/ teacher ratio. The JRDC has also struggled to improve accountability by self examination, inclusiveness, and neutralizing and excluding anyone not working in the interest of the children and/ or community.Financial contributions in recent times have been primarily coming from the Shashamane Foundation Inc, USA and a handful of individuals. This has put a severe strain on the Foundation’s limited funds and on individuals on the ground in Ethiopia. The school is now in desperate need of funds to meet not only contracted teachers salaries, but daily operating expenses such as the lunch programme, the purchase of printer ink, paper, toilet paper, school books, glue etc. These basic costs are often met through contributions from individuals in Ethiopia and overseas. While Sis Bunny, the acting Director and staff have committed to bringing back the JRDC School to its full operational capacity, external funding is urgently needed.The JRDC is hoping that this update to all houses, mansions and donors and potential donors worldwide will encourage those wishing to support this school in Shashamane to commit or/and resume financial assistance. Strengthening the lifeline of support to the school is greatly needed, not only for current operational costs, but with long term plans which are summarized below: 1. Monthly Operating Cost – Salaries and Operating Costs US$2,700; Annual Cost - US$32,400 2. Building capacity for fundraising: One Staff member plus computer equipment - Annual Cost US$2,500 3. Strengthening institutional capacity: Three Administrative Staff members - Annual Cost US$5,000 4. Project Phase II: Implementation of Community Skill Training Centre: Projected Cost - US$25,000.Any one of these costs may seem above your ability for assistance, but no contribution is too small. For eg. US$5.00 can cover the cost of one child’s lunch for a month, or US$80 can sponsor the education of a child for one year. Chairs and desks are also needed. Further information can be obtained from: www.Shashamane.org or the JRDC at [email protected]. You may wish to identify one or a few areas to which you can contribute – as a one time contribution, or on an ongoing basis. Donations can be made by cheque payable to: • Shashemane Foundation Inc; 5782 2nd St. NE, Washington DC 20011, USA. • Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Swift Code: CBETETAA; International Banking Division; for further credit to Jamaican Rastafarian Development Community; Account # 963; Shashemane Branch. (Let me know when you have sent funds, so it can be monitored at the bank.) We would also be grateful for your prayers as we strive to continue the mandate given to us by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I: “It is the duty of the educated few to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the unfortunate many.†Small projects to be completed by July end, 2008.• 1 US$ = 9.23Birr 1 UK£ = 19.30 Birr http://www.shashamane.org. http://www.worldofjah.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1042051%3ABl ogPost%3A35032 /p