Ethiopian Ambassador to U.S. Endorses Dr. Sat Bhattacharya

Ethiopian Ambassador to U.S. Endorses Dr. Sat Bhattacharya “The HCS program started in Ethiopia for a hundred students in five different mostly marginalized and remote part of the country. When Dr. Sat Bhattacharya visited the country early this year to initiate the program, he made courtesy call on H.E Mr. Girma Wolde Giorgis, the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. He also discussed about the program with the Minister of Education and the President of the Southern Nations Nationalities State and other high level officials of Ethiopia.

The participating students have been under taking research work on subjects which are important to their community such as HIV/AIDS, prevalence of trachoma, traditional medicine, malaria epidemic, the problem of potable water, waste management the growing problem of population growth and the pressure on land, irrigation, etc. The students have been guided by their mentors and educators from universities and other research institutions, who are engaged in research work. The mentors did a remarkable job in familiarizing the students with research methodology and guiding them to carry out their research work. The support given by school administration interns of additional facilities, such as computers and encouragement made by them to the students has been praiseworthy.

The students demonstrated not only their understanding of research methodology but also their concern of the problem of the community, during the HCS Science street fair. The street fair was carried out in Awassa, the regional capital of the Southern state, in Terech (Dawuro) and Bodity towns. The students from Alaba joined their fellow students in Awassa and presented their research finding jointly. In Awassa, the presentation took place in a big cultural hall where an estimated 300 invited guests consisting of government officials, members of civil societies, mass organization, University lecturers, friends and family of the students attended. Some students presented their research finding using power point while the majority used posters. The high level Government official who represented the president thanked the HCS and its Managing Director, Dr. Sat Bhattacharya, for initiating the program in Ethiopia, especially in the Southern State. He also appreciated the effectiveness of the program in helping improve the quality of education in the region.

Traditional coffee ceremony was held and soft drinks were served at the end of the fair. The public radio aired the program to the larger public on the second day. The radio presentation aired the event in detail, which also helped popularize HCS activities in the region. The Awassa students’ street fair was so interesting that the school and the students agreed to repeat the whole program after a week for 750 high school students. The Street fair took place in Terech (Dawuro), in the same day with more or less the same program in the presence of the chief administrator and other Government officials of the Zone. The Administrator appreciated the program and thanked the HCS. The presentation of the students was liked not only by the attending public but also by their mentors and other educators. The faire took place also in Soddo (Wolaita). The street fair in Bodity will take place this weekend. In conclusion, the street faire was very successful. It familiarized the public with the activities of the Organization. Also, it helped build confidence of the participating students and motivated others to work hard and emulate the students in the Harlem Children Society program.�

Hon. Teruneh Zenna, Ethiopian Ambassador to U.S.A.