Professional Childminder Liz Martin has just returned from a fortnight’s visit to view our work and meet our students in Ethiopia - her first visit to Africa. She said she found her time both physically and emotionally demanding - but truly inspirtional
_{At Abinet Church School with EYES Manager & Abba (Father) Silas}

_{At Adihana and Dejen Schools}

_{At Aderak School where hundreds of rulers donated by Image Logo were given out}

_{Circus Selam put on a special performance to welcome Liz, at which she addresses audience}

_{With EYES/Circus Selam volunteer leaders and students listening to Liz}

Following a special performance by Circus Selam, also attended by an invited audience from three local schools, Liz had time to return and listen to our bright, healthy & energetic students tell their stories of how A-CET/EYES has changed their lives.

_{Meeting a carer and a relaxing visit to our favourite Abyssinia “Bunabet” (Coffee House)}

_{At Gumselasa School in an existing “classroom” and seeing the current progress of community work}

In line with our aim to devolve more of our work to Ethiopians, this year’s “Christmas” monitoring visit was undertaken by our UK-based Trustee Sammy. Sammy visited all our completed and future projects and many students. A positively inspirational visit for all students who look to Sammy as their role model.
_{Sammy listens to blind student at St Michael’s Church School & presenting donated circus equipment}

_{Sammy inspires senior students at sessions where he offers career advice based on his experiences}

_{Visits to our rural elementary school projects and encourages all happy bright students}

A-CET was “10” on 10th Dec 07 and a celebration was held in the Mahider Arts Centre for all the 300 A-CET past and present students who could come. Two of our original, now graduated, students came up from Addis Abeba. Mahider’s mother made a moving speech on naming the hall after her deceased son. “I have lost my son whom I miss very much, but here I can now see so many Mahiders and I feel so proud of him”. CS entertained with music and performed an evocative ballad about a street boy’s life changing when he joined A-CET. It was sung by a recently displaced young boy from Eritrea. A huge buffet supplied by Yordanos Restaurant was devoured by all.
_{Street boy ballad by Dawit Girmay & Mahider’s mother thanks hall naming in memory of her son}

_{10th Anniversary Certificate presented to David by Fitsum Abraha, Circus Selam Artistic Director}

Another celebration with Circus Selam entertaining and a Yordanos buffet was held later for our 350 OSSA students and their staff in Atse Yohannes School Hall at which Trustee Sammy Ayalew addressed on behalf of A-CET.

_{Discussions with Dean of Music College with our top student Tamrat after receiving new saxophone}

_{Meetings with our partners, Aids NGO OSSA and Circus Selam Management Teams}

_{Haile, who is studying to be an Auto Technician. drives us. Coornhert Gymnasium group visits}

_{Worldwide leader of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Patriach Paulos, compliments EYES Manager Bisrat and A-CET on our work. A-CET presentation by Bisrat & David to a visiting US/Irish delegation}

A-CET is strictly apolitical, we do not see it as our remit to “lobby” and always work within the policies and with the cooperation of the local elected government.

A-CET’s support during these difficult unsettled time is unwavering. To withdraw support for “political or human rights issues” only exacerbates unrest and discontent and is short-sighted. The poor, old and sick always suffer. We believe that this is all the more reason for us to show faith and confidence in the country’s great future and to continue investmenting in both our students and educational projects.

To see further images go to Ethiopian Images