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Dande School

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”— Frederick Douglass

📍 Why Dande?

Dande is located approximately 19 kilometers southeast of Mekoni and 5 kilometers east of Machare. At the time of the project’s inception, the local school served about 144 children—70 boys and 74 girls—from kindergarten through grade 4. The conditions were dire:

The school’s mud-and-stick walls were crumbling, riddled with holes that exposed students to wind, dust, and the elements.
Blackboards were so worn that teachers had little space left to write.
There was no confirmed access to bathrooms or running water.
Most students who completed grade 4 had to walk 10 kilometers daily to Machare to continue their education—an option many could not pursue.

This distance created a heartbreaking fork in the road: boys often returned to farming or herding, while girls were pulled into domestic labor or early marriage. Many never retained the basic literacy and numeracy skills they had learned. Girls who attempted the journey to Machare were reportedly at risk of abduction and disappearance.

🛠️ The Original Plan

To address this crisis, RDF and its partners designed a comprehensive construction plan that included:

Two blocks of classrooms (six rooms total)
An administrative block with two offices
Gender-separated bathrooms with handwashing stations
A 36m³ septic tank
Elevated foundations and ventilation-friendly window designs

The total project cost was estimated at 3,000,000 Ethiopian Birr, to be paid in four phases. An initial 445,000 Birr was transferred to the Dande School Committee, of which 300,000 Birr was paid to the contractor for preparatory work.

❗ Project Interruption and Escalating Challenges

Unfortunately, the outbreak of armed conflict in Tigray in late 2020 brought the Dande School construction project to an abrupt halt. While the contractor received an initial advance of 300,000 Birr for preparatory work, he was unable to refund or return the funds after the project was suspended. To compound the situation, the cost of construction materials in the region skyrocketed due to the conflict and supply chain disruptions, rendering the original architectural plan financially and logistically unfeasible.

Despite these setbacks, the commitment to the children of Dande has remained steadfast. The community and diaspora partners have adapted with resilience, shifting toward locally sourced materials and grassroots construction methods to ensure that education continues in some form.

🧱 Community-Led Adaptation

The team in the United States, using funds raised during the original campaign, has resumed construction using locally available materials such as mud and straw. While these materials fall short of the original architectural standards, they reflect the community’s unwavering commitment to education and the well-being of their children.

💼 Stewardship of Remaining Funds

Of the initial 445,000 Birr transferred to the Dande School Committee from Raya Development Foundation in Canada, 145,000 Birr remains in the project account. RDF has formally instructed the committee to redirect these funds toward purchasing essential educational materials, including:

Blackboards
Student benches and chairs
Basic school supplies

This ensures that the original intent of the donors—to support education in Dande—is honored in a manner responsive to the current realities on the ground.

🙏 Gratitude and Forward Vision

RDF extends its deepest appreciation to the Dande School Construction Oversight Committee for their unwavering commitment, transparency, and resilience throughout this challenging journey. Despite the disruption caused by the conflict, the committee has remained a steadfast steward of the project’s resources and a vital bridge between the community and the diaspora. Their dedication to the children of Dande is a powerful reminder of what local leadership and collective responsibility can achieve, even in the most difficult circumstances.

We also thank the many donors, volunteers, and community members who have supported this project from its inception. Your generosity continues to make a tangible difference, even in the face of adversity.

RDF remains committed to supporting sustainable, community-led development in Raya. We will continue to monitor the situation and explore opportunities to resume or enhance the school infrastructure when conditions allow.

For further updates or to support our ongoing efforts, please contact us at raya@rayadevelopment.org

Gratitude and Forward Vision

For further updates or to support our ongoing efforts, please contact us at info@rayadevelopment.org.

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