This elementary school was constructed in the area of Kafna in the district of Irob in Tigray.
The district of Irob is further north than the Eastern Zone and is found close to the border with Eritrea, around 150km north-west of Makalle, the capital of the Tigray region. It covers around 850km of mountains, hills, plateaus and valleys. The altitude varies from 900m in the valley of Endeli, to 3,200m at the top of Asimba Mountain. The majority of the population, estimated at around 31,000 people, live in areas at altitudes between 1,500m and 2,700m
Intestinal infections are widespread and mainly affect young children, the main cause of which is the drinking of water from unsafe sources (particularly stagnant water).
Only 6% of children living in these rural areas regularly attend school and the rate of people withdrawing from studies in rural areas in 14.72%.
This project, completed by the Butterfly Foundation, was also carried out thanks to the logistical support of VIS and the Segretariato Cattolico di Adigrat construction company who completed:
- The construction of a new block of 4 classrooms.
- The refurbishment of 4 existing classrooms.
- The construction of hygiene services for the students
An agreement was signed with the local Ministry of Education stating that the government would maintain the structure in the future and take control of the running of the school and the recruitment of teachers.
Around 850 students living within an 8 km radius of the school are in attendance and have lessons in shifts (morning and afternoon).
This school, dedicated to Martina, was opened on the 27th November 2010 in the presence of the Bishop of Tigray, Abune Tesfaselessie Medin, and the local television station.
The building took place thanks to the support of Barbara Cibrario, Marco Borla, Loriana and Lorenzo Becatti, Roberto Tononi, Giuseppe Morselli and the Butterfly Foundation.
RELATED PROJECTS:
- Kafna School I (2010)
- Kafna School II (2011)
- Kafna School III (2012)
- Rain water catchment in Kafna School (2012)
- Uniforms for Kafna School students (2012)
- Kafna water well (2014)
- Kafna School Teacher’s dormitory (2018)
- Solar workshop in Kafna School (Project to be funded)