Local is back from Ethiopian aid trip

Dave Zuber with donated items for students of the Atse Zeryacob school in Ethiopia. Submitted

The efforts of his friends to raise funds for an elementary school in Ethiopia had exceeded all expectations.

“I couldn’t believe the response to our ‘Taste of Africa’ fundraiser,” said Zuber. “We sold out. People are already asking us about when we will do it again next year.”

Support also came from the Crescent City Rotary Club, Wetherell Ranch, Del Norte  school administrators,  Wells Fargo advisers, Alta’s, Del Norte Office Supply, Elks Club, the Bar-O Culinary Arts Program and numerous individuals.

Zuber’s luggage was filled with educational supplies for the elementary school of 1,500 students located in a town of 30,000 in the Ethiopian highlands. He also carried cash to purchase supplies in Addis Ababa, the capital, to take to the school.

“It is nice to purchase things in Ethiopia,” he said. “It supports local businesses, and I don’t have to pay excess baggage fees.”

Once in Ethiopia Zuber was pleasantly surprised to have local organizations and individuals help him. Several Ethiopian friends he made on his last trip assisted him. One man provided transportation to the school. Another acted as the photographer and helped interpret.

The Addis Ababa Rotary Club East helped pay the customs duties.

“It is really nice to see local people help in a project that supports their society. The local people are also consulted on what the school needs. For example, one young man expressed the desire that in the future we consider rewarding students who achieved well in school. I brought that suggestion back to the committee here and they wholeheartedly endorsed it.”

Zuber spent several days in late October at the Atse Zeryacob school. The school runs three shifts per day. Among the 1,500 students are about 20 who are deaf or hearing-impaired. It also serves the same number of blind and visually-impaired students.

He delivered educational supplies that include an audiometer to test students’ hearing,  (the audiometer “was my carry-on luggage,” joked Zuber), lap-tops, flash drives, and supplies specifically for deaf and blind students.  Once in Ethiopia he was able to purchase a photocopier for the school.

“Can you imagine a school of 1,500 students without a copier?” he asked. He also purchased a computer, several reams of paper and dictionaries for the top students in the school.

Zuber praised the efforts of the local group, “Friends of Atse Zeryacob,” for its fundraising efforts.

“We hope to continue raising funds for the school,” he said. “We are already planning on a second ‘Taste of Africa’ in September 2012. The funds we raise in the future will be used to purchase educational materials and supplies for the school. Funds will also be used to reward deserving students at the school.”

Zuber was dismayed to learn that some students walk into town from their village every Sunday and spend the week in town just to attend school. They return home on Friday afternoon. Some stay with friends or relatives, but others  sleep in the empty classrooms or in crypts in the local cemetery.

For more information on the efforts to help Atse Zeryacob School contact “Friends of Atse Zeryacob,” 115 Blackberry Lane, Crescent City, CA 95531. Also check out  photos and videos of the school on Facebook.