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ASSAA 10 th Anniversary Conference Activities Report from 2000-2010. September 18, 2010 Minneapolis, USA. AIM. A. A. ADVANCE. ACHIEVE. S. SUPPORT. SUSTAIN. A. S. S. I. The formation of ASSAA. Aira Secondary School Association (ASSAA) was formed in October 2000.
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ASSAA 10th Anniversary ConferenceActivities Report from 2000-2010 September 18, 2010 Minneapolis, USA
AIM A A ADVANCE ACHIEVE S SUPPORT SUSTAIN A S S I
The formation of ASSAA • Aira Secondary School Association (ASSAA) was formed in October 2000.
Objectives of ASSAA • To support economically poor and academically capable LASS students • To mobilize computres, books and other necessities for LASS • To encourage sustainability and capacity building
From 2000 to early 2001 • TOR drafted and approved • ASSAA Recruiting & Outreaching Program started • ASSAA outreaching and recruiting team approached over 75 previous LASS graduates living in Diaspora, primarily in US and Europe • Out of the total of 75 contacted, less than 50 people responded positively • Out of the 50 recruited, about 20 people became active members and fully or partially participated and contributed to ASSAA’s scholarship program
In the year 2001 • Aira Brothers Association (ABA) and Aira Youth Association (AYA) was contacted to forge unity of partnership • ASSAA’s scholarship Program Screening Criteria and TOR for the Screening committee was drafted and approved • LASS’s Administration was contacted and the screening committee was established • ASSAA’s Scholarship Program was started in 2001-2002 academic year
In the year 2002 • The recruiting committee continued with its campaigning • To increase awareness • To recruit more members • To solicit funding from other sources • As a result, the number of ASSAA scholarship recipients doubled in a year 2002
ASSAA’s partnership with LASS • ASSAA is not only awards scholarships, but opens doors that address other school issues: • lack of computers • Shortage of books • Lack of financial support and • Other internal matters
Resource mobilization to buy computers for LASS • In to 2005, Ethiopian Ministry of Education passed a new law that all the high schools in Ethiopia are required to have computers for education purpose. • To comply to the new policy LASS petitioned to Aira Alumni for help
Resource mobilizations for computers… • ASSAA right away took actions • Sent emails to all of its members • Contacted outside sources (ELM) for help • Managed to mobilize resources • $1500.00 USD from its members • Solicited $ 15,000.00 Euro($20,250) from ELM • Total of $21,750.00 USD raised/raisd and sent Aira through MekanYesusCenteral Office - Video Clip
Resource Mobilizations for books • In 2007, all the alumni groups from different Schools of West Wollega came together and raised fund to send books to almost all the high schools in West Wollega. • Close to $13,000.00 USD raised to cover the cost of shipping and clearing agency • A container full of books sent • Over 3000 academic books sent to Aira schools – Video Clip
Improving the quality of LASS • Through scholarship program • By encouraging teachers – Best Teachers Award (BTA) which was started in 2003 • 1st BTA awarded to Mr. AsfawOljira • 2nd BTA awarded to Mr. Raga Abdissa • 3rd BTA awarded to Mr. TafasseeBayissa • Through one-to-one relationships with LASS administration, Birbir-Dilla Synod and LASS staff • Meeting with School & Synod leaders – Video • Meeting with students – Video Clip • Meeting With Alumni team – Video Clip – V2 • By increasing awareness • Town Hall Mtg with Aira Community - Video
Capacity building through income generating Scheme • Aira Alumni Association has devised and initiated over several income generating sustainable projects inside and outside the school premises to generate additional income for LASS. - Video • Oxen fattening • Tea / Coffee shop • Farming & gardening • Coffee plantation • Honey bee farming • Dairy farming • Beauty salon
Other initiations by alumni • DOMI Farming – started by Aira Alumni Entrepreneurs • To encourage farming business • To educate local farmers modern farming practices • To generate profit for share holders (alumni) • To support school from funds invested for LASS and • Helping Aira hospital with the shipment of medical equipments • About $5000.00 USD raised • Video
Failed efforts • ASSAA went beyond its primary goals and partnered with other local NGOs to advance ASSAA mission. As a result ASSAA partnered with • In 2007, with Lift Kids, Inc. • In 2008, with Strategic Initiatives • Both project failed due to mistrust
Conclusion It is working Impacting the life of many