The Story of Lalo Gerbe Primary School: A Community's Educational Journey
Twenty-three years ago, in Ethiopia's Hadiya Zone, the families of Shone town came together
with determination and hope. Using their own hands, they built Lalo Gerbe Primary School,
creating a place where their children could learn and grow. Today, this school serves over 1,100
students.
Current Challenges: A School in Need
But years of economic hardship have taken their toll. In this farming community, where families
depend on unpredictable rainfall for their crops, poor harvests have made it impossible to
maintain and upgrade their beloved school. The challenges are significant:
- Classrooms built for 40 students now squeeze in 90
- Students in grades 7-8 share one textbook among fifty children
- Younger students in grades 1-6 have no current textbooks at all
- Four or five students crowd onto benches meant for three
- There is no hands on science lab
- Blackboards are worn beyond repair
- The tiny 12x12 library holds only a handful of outdated reference books
Community Spirit: Unwavering Despite Obstacles
Despite these obstacles, the spirit of the community remains unbroken. Teachers arrive each
day, ready to inspire young minds. Students eagerly fill the crowded classrooms, sharing the
few books they have. Parents continue supporting the school however they can.
A Vision for Change: The School Improvement Project
Through strong community partnership and the same determined spirit that built this school 23
years ago, Lalo Gerbe Primary School is ready for positive change. The School Improvement
project brings together local families, teachers, and caring supporters like you to create better
learning opportunities for these eager students. Starting with essential improvements to
infrastructure, providing much-needed educational resources, and supporting teacher
development, we can help fulfill the community's original vision: giving every child the chance to
learn and grow. Together, we can help these 1,100 students write their next chapter, starting
with something as fundamental as having books to read.
Phase One: Building a Library for Learning
We're beginning our school improvement project where it matters most - creating a real library.
The library renovation project will cost approximately $16,000 USD, which includes:
- Renovating and expanding the library space
- Installing proper bookshelves and reading tables
- Providing 60 comfortable chairs for students
- Purchasing 800 new curriculum reference books
- Training staff in library management
The Power of Books: Why This Matters
Every child deserves the chance to:
- Have access to their own textbooks for learning
- Discover stories that spark imagination
- Find reference materials that expand knowledge
- Have a quiet, well-lit space to read and study
How You Can Help: Making a Difference
Your loving support will:
- Dramatically improve the textbook-sharing ratio from 1:50 to 1:2
- Create a learning environment with books, chairs, tables, and a librarian
- Give 1,100 eager students the tools they need to learn
- Support 46 dedicated teachers with current teaching materials
The same community spirit that built this school 23 years ago is ready to rise again. Will you
help these determined students take their next step forward?
