Berri Maida Girls Hostel and Educational Center

Objective ― Berri Maida Girls’ Hostel and Educational Center was created to support bright rural girls who couldn’t complete their studies beyond grade 8 due to economic and distance to high school related problems.

When was it founded ― Berri Maida Girls’ Hostel and Educational Center is registered as a non-governmental organization in 2015 (2008 Geez calendar) and began its operations on rented premises the same year.

Achievement so far ― Completed the construction of one hostel and educational center in Samre which includes:

1. Dormitories for 160 students

2. Library

3. Computer Center

4. Meeting hall and

5. Study center and Dining hall

Berri Maida has provided educational support for 200 girls on full board basis in its Samre center since its founding.

40 of the 200 students completed their high school studies with the exception of three students who interrupted their studies due to health and family problems. While 27 of the remaining students joined higher education the remaining 10 girls joined technical and vocational education.

The remaining 160 were following their studies up until school was closed initially because of the COVID pandemic and thereafter the war on Tigray.  The center’s yearly admission capacity was 40 students and each of the four batches of students were studying from grade 9 to 12 up until school was closed.

The organization decided to expand its operations to a second district and negotiated with to take over a center a center that was built by the district in collaboration with UNICIEF country office at the town of Hagere Selam. We completed the maintenance of the center, furnished and equipped it with the necessary materials and was preparing to recruit students for admission when the Tigray war started.

As part of its expansion plans it also developed a full project proposal to construct a similar center at Sheraro town aiming to address the needs of girls coming from the Kunama minority community.

Its immediate plans for action ―

1. Complete the reconstruction and re-equipping the centers of Samre and Hagere Selam so that they are fully operational.

2. Providing rehabilitation for victims of sexual violence.

3. Expanding gender education and contributing towards creating a society that condemns sexual violence.

4. Contributing to the physical, psychological, and economic rehabilitation of victims of sexual violence in the Tigray war.

5. Resource mobilization to enable the organization fulfill its planned objectives.

In order to mobilize resources, the organization has now registered as a non-profit organization in the United States and have an office in Washington DC.

How can one support the organization?

1. Providing a onetime financial and material support.

2. Making monthly contributions to support the program starting from $5 per month.

3. Sponsoring students that are recruited to study by the organization.

4. Providing technical support by project design for fundraising and similar other things.