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News from around VSO > Ethiopia
Update on security situation
(16 December 2005)
Addis Ababa region - violence between security forces and opposition protesters
There were serious disturbances across the capital and in cities to the North at the beginning of November. The situation in Addis and the surrounding regions is now calm but the underlying tensions have not been resolved. VSO Ethiopia are constantly monitoring the situation and keep volunteers well informed. There are robust security guidelines and emergency plans in place, should they be required. VSO Ethiopia also has strong links with the representative embassies in Addis Ababa.
Border dispute with Eritrea
Problems continue in relation to the border dispute. Ethiopia has pulled back its troops to 2004 levels in order to defuse tensions. However Eritrea is still very unhappy that the UN decision on the dispute has not been implemented and is placing restrictions on UN troops. Some UN staff have been withdrawn from the country but at present the rest of the international community sees no reason to take similar action. Both VSO Ethiopia and VSO Eritrea are monitoring the situation closely and have security guidelines and emergency plans in place as well as strong links with the representative embassies.
VSO monitoring security situation
(4 November 2005)
Addis Ababa region - violence between security forces and opposition protesters
There have been serious disturbances across the capital and in cities to the north. All VSO volunteers based in the affected areas have received security instructions and emergency planning information and have been advised to stay indoors. They are in contact with their programme manager on a daily basis.
Border dispute with Eritrea
There are reports of increased military presence on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border. VSO Ethiopia have already moved the volunteers based closest to the border to a town further south which is currently not affected by the increase in tension. Both VSO Ethiopia and VSO Eritrea are monitoring the situation closely. VSO Eritrea do not have any volunteers located close to the border.
VSO receives funding from Band Aid
(16 February 2005)The Band Aid Charitable Trust have approved a grant of £47,180 to VSO for HIV & AIDS in Ethiopia. Besides supporting the cost of 10 volunteers to help build the capacity of partner organisations working with HIV and AIDS, the money will cover a fund for small grants for HIV and AIDS work by partner organisations, professional exchange visits between partner organisations and money to sponsor partners' attendence of HIV and AIDS conferences. 
How our volunteers have helped improve the education prospects of up to 800,000 childrenThe challenge
Only 47% of primary school-age children in Ethiopia regularly go to school. For those who do attend classes, their education is often affected by badly resourced classrooms, poorly trained teachers and the ongoing challenges posed by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
How our volunteers are helping
The Ministry of Education in Ethiopia however is fully committed to improving the quality of education, and for the past three years has been working with us on a strategy to improve standards in all areas of education. Two volunteers playing an instrumental role in this process are Deb Jordan and David Spinney who have developed the Higher Diploma Programme (HDP).
The aim of the HDP is to improve the quality of education in Ethiopia, through a compulsory licensing programme that will develop the skills and professionalism of all teacher trainers in Ethiopia. Deb and David began their placements in February 2003 and by the end of their first six months had assessed the professional development needs of teacher trainers across Ethiopia and written a 500-page distance-learning handbook The future
Having devised the HDP, Deb and David are now managing it and are responsible for training new VSO volunteers as higher diploma leaders. These volunteers then deliver the programme in 31 teacher educator institutes around Ethiopia. Just 20 months after Deb and David arrived in Addis Ababa, 1,363 teacher trainers have undertaken the programme, to the ultimate benefit of 800,000 children in Ethiopia.
Could you help too?
If you are an experienced teacher with management experience, looking for a career move or considering retirement options, VSO could be for you. Why not find out more about the opportunities available?
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