Girma Fanta Adane
Education - Ethiopia (Horn of Africa)
“It is widely believed that it is the young who is a potential source of development to his country. But I am afraid that, this is not what actually is happening in my country Ethiopia. Despite the fact that one third of Ethiopian population is between the age of 12 and 25, young people lack the opportunity and the capacity to be an agent of change in our community, as the community is encircled by so many problems.
Among the most crucial problems that young people in my community facing are: unemployment, economic dependence, school drop out, addiction of alcohol and narcotic drugs, rapes, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and above all HIV/AIDS is most prominent problem that need urgent action. Recent reports indicate that young people living in economically and socially dynamic towns such as Bahrdar, Nazerate and Modjo are highly affected and susceptible to HIV/AIDS.”
“We, the young ourselves should take an initiative to tackle the problem through various feasible strategies and activities. No one should be a spectator rather should be an actor in the real life. Thinking this in mind I have proposed an action plan to establish a multi purpose ICT resource center believing that this will alleviate the above problems to a meaningful level and change the life style of young people, since most of the problems are the direct and indirect impact of lack of information. Information is power, wealth and it is the determining factor between life and death.”
“If my project is implemented, the sole beneficiaries are young people of different localities.”
Strategy:
Girma’s AP was focused on both formal and non-formal educational projects, e.g. literacy training. Working closely together with his Organisation“Health Aid Ethiopia and Integrated Community Development” (HAE/ICD) Girma’s plan is to establish a multi purpose ITC resource centre in Ethiopia.
Its main objective is to make the young people an agent of change. Through ICT he aims to address the issues of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, economic independence, school drop out, addiction, rape and unwanted pregnancies.
AP in Ethiopia:
“My action plan is based on ICT and is to establish a multipurpose ICT resource center in Ethiopia. Its main objective is to make young people an agent of change in the community through ICT. The main target group is aged 18-36 but it will also touch the rest of the community and local leaders as well. Its aim is to address the issue of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, economic dependence on parents, school drop-out, addictions to alcohol and narcotic drugs, rape, unwanted pregnancy, etc.”
The key steps Girma planned are discussing with the ministry of youth and culture for the successful implementation of the project, making contact with different NGOs and future partners, making arrangements to work with different organizations and people like scholars from AAU, government representatives, university and high schools students, local community leaders and youth associations.
The implementation will have two phases. The project will first be implemented in two towns and the second phase will be the further expansion of the project throughout the country based on the experience and lessons gained from the first phase.
Past Accomplishments & Skills:
Girma has experience working as a volunteer in “Health Aid Ethiopia and Integrated Community Development (HAE/ICD)” and as an executive member of Addis Ababa University (AAU) which is anti HIV / AIDS club. He particularly gained experience on HIV / AIDS issues through preparing different and several activities to educate young people.
He has also been an executive member of the Vision for Future Statistics Club. He organized a Forum and visited different statistical organization. He also has experience in terms of different environmental campaigns as a member of Addis Ababa University. Moreover, he participated in an International Conference at Geneva in the ITU WORLD 2003 YOUTH FORUM.
Implementation:
Even though Girma expected to face certain challenges, e.g. convincing local authorities on the importance his action plan. At the moment Girma is living and studying in Sydney. He has been garneted scholarship and he wants to finish his degree in telecommunication engineering in University of Technology, Sydney.
He is trying to set up a new project that focuses on a committee of Ethiopian student’s in Australia willing to provide support for people in their home country. His resources for his initial AP include the support from professionals and local authority as well as NGO and international organization that are operating in Ethiopia. Now Girma focuses on another project here in Sydney even though he wishes to go back to Ethiopia after his studies and continue his work.
Organizations:
Girma represents the organization in Ethiopia “Health Aid Ethiopia & Integrated Community Development (HAE/ICD)”, a non-governmental humanitarian organization.
Girma worked as a volunteer and participated in different areas of activities, e.g. awareness creation on HIV / AIDS, family planning, construction of clinics, provision of clean water and public toilets as well as preparation of brochures, documents and other material and also by giving training to prospective volunteers.
