The Miracle of Glasses

We would like to introduce you to Derartu (on the left of the photo) and Hannaniya (on the right) who are students of the Akaki Mengist Public School.  They, together with other children and teenagers attend the two classes provided for those with sensory and psychological disabilities.

Deratu and Hannaniya are both deaf.  In addition Deratu has myopia of 11.5 gradation, which means that he can see practically nothing and is considered blind, deaf and blind.  Now he can see!!  Thanks to some simple glasses, that are very normal here but in Ethiopia are considered a true luxury.  What’s more these glasses are good looking and have graduating lenses.

Hannaniya does not have such severe myopia but he cannot see very well either.  Being deaf it’s very important for him that he makes the most of his vision, now with the help of his new glasses he can.  These glasses have come about thanks to the Abay Association that paid for them and thanks to Paco, a lovely person, who has taken them personally to the school.   Thank you very much Abay.

Next Friday, Dr Abonesh will visit the two blind children in the school who have congenital cataracts.  She is the very best specialist we were able to find and will assess if they are operable.  The nine deaf boys and girls also have a visit on Friday, from the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist.  He will see three children each Friday for the next three weeks. 

Celebration at Fitawrari Public School

The celebration was attended by the leaders of many of Akaki Kaliti's most important organisations: the Kebeles, the city council and the heads of all the primary schools.  They came to see and better understand the schools project for feeding the children.  This is the primary school where Mediterranea constructed a dining room and kitchen and serves breakfast to all the 160 pre-school children and breakfast, lunch and tea to the 103 orphans who attend the school.

The dignitaries also inaugurated the Information Technology Centre which was equipped with computers donated and purchased by Mediterranea.

They then proceeded to deliver uniforms bought with money provided by Mediterranea.  The donation of 24000 birrs (1092 Euros) served to purchase the uniforms and also the school material for the current year.

The authorities and school directors, in addition to visiting the dining room and kitchen, also had the chance to see the entrance road, new toilets and playground, all of which were paid for and constructed by Mediterranea.

The saddest part of this happy day was saying goodbye to the two assistant directors of the school.  One of who was taking up the position as director of another school and the other as supervisor for all of the primary schools in Akaki.