The School Feeding Program
For 34 years, the Tigray Development Association (TDA), a UK-registered charity, has been a beacon of hope for the people of Tigray, focusing on enhancing children’s education and building sustainable peace. However, the past three years have seen Tigray plunged into a merciless war, with devastating consequences for its educational infrastructure. Over 95% of schools in Tigray have been destroyed or looted, leaving millions of children without access to education. The TDA is now launching a comprehensive rehabilitation fundraising program to rebuild schools and support children’s feeding programs through online donations.
An Attack on Education is an Attack on Life Itself
In Tigray, education is under siege. The conflict has systematically targeted schools, reversing years of educational progress. Out of 2.3 million school-aged children, 1.7 million have been out of school for the last three years. The destruction of nearly 90% of schools by the war has left a gaping hole in the region’s educational framework. Schools have been bombed, looted, and used for the war purposes. This is not just an attack on buildings but an assault on the future of an entire generation.
The Human Toll: Stories of Loss and Resilience
The personal stories emerging from Tigray are heart-wrenching. A resident of Mekelle recounted seeing women taken into schools, beaten, and crying as they left. Many teachers and students have been killed, and primary school enrollment rates have plummeted from 90% in 2020 to just 21% in 2021.
The Wider Impact: Beyond Education
The ongoing conflict has far-reaching effects beyond the immediate destruction of schools. Students out of school face increased risks of abduction, murder, exploitation, and recruitment by armed forces. Girls, in particular, are vulnerable to forced child marriage and other forms of exploitation. The trauma and economic hardships wrought by the war have made it incredibly challenging for students to return to school, even if the infrastructure is rebuilt.
A Cry for Help: Rebuilding Together
The Tigray Development Association is committed to rebuilding the region’s education system. We aim to provide stability, basic services, and the reconstruction of infrastructure. Our efforts include:
Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Repairing and rebuilding schools with modern amenities.
Feeding Programs: Ensuring children are nourished and ready to learn.
Mental Health Support: Integrating psychosocial services to help children and teachers cope with trauma.
Community Engagement: Working with local and international partners to restore hope and normalcy.
Join Us: Support the Future of Tigray’s Children
Your support is crucial. By donating through the TDA website, you can help us provide the resources needed to rebuild schools and support children’s education and well-being in Tigray.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and building sustainable peace. By restoring education in Tigray, we are investing in the future of an entire generation, giving them the tools they need to rebuild their lives and their community.
Donate Now: Support Tigray’s Children and Schools
The Devastation: Facts and Figures
Destruction of Infrastructure: 88% of classrooms, 96% of desks, 97% of blackboards, 85% of computers, and 87% of plasma TVs destroyed.
Loss of Life: Over 3,846 teachers and students killed.
Decline in Enrollment: Primary school enrollment dropped from 85.5% in 2020 to 20.8% in 2021.
Distance and Danger: Average distance to school has increased threefold, with students often travelling on empty stomachs through dangerous areas.
A Vision for the Future
Rebuilding Tigray’s educational system is a monumental task that will take years. However, with your support, we can lay the foundation for a brighter future. Together, we can restore hope, rebuild schools, and ensure that the children of Tigray receive the education they deserve.
Help Us Rebuild Tigray’s Future – Donate Today
This appeal aims to highlight the dire situation in Tigray, evoke emotional responses, and encourage action through donations and support for the Tigray Development Association’s initiatives.
