PROJECT OVERVIEW| WoGAGEN SCHOOL - DEBRE BIRHAN, ETHIOPIA
In March 2024 our Ethiopian partners from The Community Project: Ethiopia officially completed the install of this an off-grid, 8 kW solar system for the Wogagen School and community center in Debre Birhan, Ethiopia. The Wogagen School is proud to be the first elementary STEM program in a public school in Ethiopia with 280 enrolled students between grades 1-12. With the addition of electricity, the school is now able to run computers, charge power tools, run a projector, and power the lights for a microscope.
Large windows let in lots of natural light and fresh air during the day. Photo Credit: The Community Project
The school’s walls are made with hand pressed bricks, made on-site. Photo Credit: The Community Project
The expanding campus, which will eventually serve more than 1000 children and 4000 Chole Village residents, is community-built with the technical expertise of nationally recognized local managers and collaboration with Engineers & Architects Without Borders. Composting toilets are in use; a large playground structure is up and open to the whole community; and a hand-press brick factory, bamboo propagation nursery, and apple orchard all provide economic education and benefit.
While the school is the project’s centerpiece, a community center is also planned. The large center will house a library, adult classes, community meals, health clinics, community celebrations, and skills training. The project and its community-focused campus has been recognized by the United Nations as a model for Ethiopia and was fondly named Wogagen or “First Light” School, by the community.
PARTNER OVERVIEW| THE COMMUNITY PROJECT - Debre Birhan, ETHIOPIA
The Community Project: Ethiopia is an entirely volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that emerged out of the requests for a nearby public school by the residents of Chole Village, on the outskirts of Debre Birhan, Ethiopia. The Community Project was founded by Colleen Kaleda and Angelique Kidd Smith, with input and advice from local leadership including village leaders, the Mayor, Ethiopian Ministry of Education officials, with a community development committee to provide local oversight.
“Our vision is grounded in an old African proverb: ‘If you want to travel fast, go alone. If you want to travel far, go together.’”
Exercise and play is an important part of the children’s day. Photo Credit: The Community Project
Compressed-earth blocks that built the school are made on-site. Photo Credit: The Community Project
The school day begins with singing the Ethiopian national anthem. Photo Credit: The Community Project
