The Solution
The Solution
St George’s School was established in 2011 to educate the most vulnerable children.
In 2014, the doors opened to the first 50 children. 10 years later and the school has over 650 children!
The first 50 children have moved on to secondary school with fantastic future prospects.
The mission is to change the social structure in Gondar by developing some of Ethiopia’s most employable young adults.
We provide high quality education to underprivileged children including orphans by building an outstanding school focussing on pre-primary and primary education
We want to instil a self-disciplined and confident spirit, with a sense of duty and responsibility to the community
We want to help children increase their future opportunities
We want to create a learning centre for the local community with valuable learning opportunities
How do we help?
2 nutritious meals a day and clean water
Safe and reliable transportation to and from school
Health and welfare support
Well-maintained library, sports hall, IT room, science lab and health centre
Spacious outside play and sports area
With support from our family of sponsors and donors, St George’s School provides over 650 of the region’s most vulnerable children with:
Learning resources and classroom essentials
Classes of 25 children where the national average is 60 children
Highly qualified and well-resourced teachers
School uniforms
“Academic results are four times better than the national average. In a country where half of all children leave school by the age of 8, our retention rate is an extraordinary 98%. ”
St George’s School Facts
10
Years Old
650+
Children In Full Time Education
98%
Retention Rate Of Pupils
Where do your contributions go?
Hear from our School Director, Birara, as he explains where some of your generous contributions are used.
Meet our students
Find out more about some of our students enrolled at St George’s School. To sponsor a child, visit our page here.
Yohannes Ashanafi
After a thorough investigation carried out by the school’s director, Birara, it emerged that Yohannes’ situation at home had drastically deteriorated. We discovered that an uncle had moved in with Yohannes’ grandmother, where Yohannes lived.
Since the uncle’s arrival, Yohannes had been bullied and physically abused. He was being fed very little as the uncle knew he was being fed at school. He was made to do chores and housework and was not allowed to do his school work.
Three months down the line and the huge grin which greets us every morning bears little resemblance to the distressed little boy from months earlier. His class teacher confirms that he is one of the top students in his class and he religiously practices his English with us on the bus.
Yohannes tells us that he dreams of being either a pilot or a doctor when he grows up and we have little doubt that he will achieve whatever he puts his mind to. Such a transformation is not only a testament to the resilience of Yohannes but also to the work of St George’s and the support it provides both academically and pastorally.
Emawayish Chekol
Staff at St George's saw nine-year-old Emawayish on her first day, beaming with excitement and joy to be able to join her friends from the village in Grade 3. Her mother had been struggling to buy exercise books for her daughter on earnings of £2 a week, the only income she had to support herself and her three children.
It had seemed inevitable that Emawayish would join her teenage sister, and the hundreds of young women and girls already contributing to their family’s finances. Despite the positive changes made in recent years, being female in Ethiopia can put you at an huge disadvantage. Women are far less likely to be given equal opportunities to men when it comes to education.
Although most children enrol in primary school, girls face increasing pressure to support their family by helping with domestic chores such as washing, cooking and fetching water, often placing themselves in danger and at risk of attacks. Many are encouraged to marry at a young age rather than continue with their education.
Several months after her first day at St. George’s, Emawayish is making good progress in all of her lessons and she wears her uniform with pride. Equipped with stationery and books, she can continue with her studies at home and at school she is a keen and motivated pupil. With the invaluable support of St George’s and her teachers, she has the chance to shape her own future.