Canadian couple helps out Ethiopian schools

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In 2006, Chris Clinton and took a trip to Africa on a vacation to see some of the interesting attractions. Since then he can’t stop going back.

The first time he went to Ethiopia, Clinton was there to visit the tourist attractions, such as the Blue Nile waterfalls in Felege Abay.

“That is why a lot of people go to Bahir Dar just to see the massive waterfall,” Clinton said. “Also, at the lake, there are maybe a dozen monasteries which date back to the 16th century. This is the attraction.”

While there, Clinton and his wife noticed the poor state of the schools in the area. Termites had eaten the mud from the walls and the schools were lacking supplies and funding.

Not long after, they decided to help, supplying $1,000 to fix the walls of the school and have continued to help through the years.

“We primarily go to help three schools (Bahir Abay, Shum Abo and Dilchibo) in regards to construction, providing supplies and whatever was necessary,” Clinton said. “In the past, I have built a toilet, repaired windows, repaired floors, bought 80 school uniforms and that sort of thing.”

Recently the Clintons went back to Ethiopia with $5,200 in donations from the Prince Albert and area community.

“What we did at Felege Abay — the government doesn’t fund kindergarten, so we had a classroom painted and fixed up and we brought 40 little chairs (we made),” Clinton said.

He said they donated floor mats, toys and games to the kindergarten class.

“We also painted the fence that goes all the way around the school,” Clinton said.

Instead of just handing out donations and funding all the projects, at Shum Abo they helped the school set up a way to make money itself.

“We haven’t finished all the buying yet, but they have these containers — they are much like a shipping container that have to be attached to the ground with cement,” Clinton said. “These are leased out as little shops or cafes. Whoever takes them will pay rent to the school so they are earning some income to be used for supplies and helping kids who are very poor because all of them are poor, that’s why we go there.”

In addition, they will also be buying a shelving unit, much like a cupboard, for each classroom.

“They will have shelves that can be closed and locked s the teacher can leave their own belongings in the cupboard,” Clinton said.

At the third school, which is for the older children in Grades 5 to 8, they have arranged to fix up the IT room and buy science equipment.

Clinton said they enjoy helping out the schools in Ethiopia.

“Once you start supporting schools in a poor country, you never cut off, you just keep on doing it,” Clinton said. “Every year we raise as much money as we can and we go there and spend a few months and do whatever is necessary. It gives us a lot of good feelings and the kids love us. When I walk in the gate, they all come running and want to hold my hand (and have) big smiles.”

Since 2006, Clinton estimates they have raised about $50,000 for the three schools, just by asking for donations.

“I ask people and I raised some from schools,” Clinton said. “Some schools have a little projects and raise funds.”

This year, the Rotary Club was a huge help, donating funds raised at an African night they hosted, Clinton said.

Everywhere he goes, he gets support.

“In Saskatoon, Outer Limits, a former student of mine has a display and a box that people put in money,” Clinton said. “She has probably raised $2,500 over the last two years. It is just nickels and dimes. What it says is donate a nickel for a pencil because that is what it costs out there.”

Sometimes he is surprised by the generosity of strangers.

“We were having a little bite to eat at the Saskatoon Inn and started telling the waitress why we are going and she gave us $20,” Clinton said.

Many people are more willing to donate to him instead of a large corporation because they know where he is spending the money, he said.

“They know everything I raise goes there,” Clinton said. “I see the money spent … We don’t use any of the fundraising to support our trip. We pay for our own flights as well as our accommodation.”

Clinton said it is completely worth it to help those in need.

“They are very appreciative — the teachers and the kids there they know,” Clinton said. “The whole thing was just fantastic (just) seeing the people again, the kids again.”

Clinton and his family will continue to support the schools in Bahir Dar and appreciate the support from their home community.

“I want to thank everyone who has donated this year and in the past because it enables us to keep on supporting these schools.”