About Axum
Axum is a town of approximately 45,000 in the north of Ethiopia. Axum has an amazing history, having been the "home town" of the Queen of Sheba.
The Queen of Sheba had a son by King Solomon of Jerusalem and it is told that this son, Menelik 1, carried the Holy Ark of the Covenant from King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem to Axum nearly three thousand years ago.
It is believed by local residents that the Ark still resides in an Axum church.
There are many other very interesting stories about this town and it's amazing past and as one reads these stories it is hard to imagine that they are not more well known to the entire world.
It is also hard to imagine what poverty has now overtaken this once magnificent civilization. After what we have seen, heard and read, we indeed feel very fortunate and privileged to live the life that we now live here in Dubai. Of course, we are often aware of our good fortune, but to put it into this harsh perspective is really quite astonishing.
About the School
Abraha Wa Asbaha Elementary School is located in the town of Axum. 2750 students from grade 1 through 8 are taught by 60 locally-trained teachers, in three sessions throughout the day and evening.
There is also one class of blind children. This school is severely under privileged. Many classrooms lack tables and chairs and in the ones which do, some students sit on one another’s laps during classes. They share pens and use every square inch of the paper in the few notebooks that they have. There is no audio/visual equipment, limited sports equipment and library resources.
The teaching resource materials are often hand-made by the teacher (hand drawings of maps and skeletons, for example).
In spite of these conditions, the children and indeed the staff, have an inspiring outlook on life and always seem to have a smile on their faces.
Our aim is to assist this school in providing the best education possible for the students of Axum. We hope to improve the quality and access to education for the children of Axum. We feel that by providing an opportunity for these children to have a decent education, we will in turn give them the knowledge and resources to make a better life for themselves, their children and in turn, their community and country.
About the Orphanage
The Saint Yared Child Care Center (orphanage) was founded by the local church in 1976. 344 children from the age of five are currently cared for by the centre. We have already donated clothing, shoes and some school supplies, but hope to provide more assistance to this centre, including food, clothing, blankets, furniture, books, and sports and recreation equipment. On our last visit to Axum in October 2006 we supplied funds for the digging of a well. This well will provide a reliable fresh water supply for the children. We are also hoping to build new washroom facilites in the future.
