Present
Aster Belay, Siobhan Crawley, Feyisa Demie, Brian Foster, Teferi Degeneh , Bekana Edossa, Girma Gebresenbet, Muluneh Oli
Apologies
Gosaye Fida, Michael Hawkins
Minutes of 17th April 2021
Agreed
Feedback on relations with partner
Hirpa attended a meeting with WDEF trustees. Registration successful. The standard 10000 sq. metres. Hirpa will check what is available. Organising community. Guarantee of support from education bureau of Oromia. The community needs to be involved because some aspects of education funding are covered by local taxation.
Question: Is the family happy to contribute the area of land? If we are expected to continue contributing to running costs, what influence would we have over educational practice.
Confirmed that the family is prepared to donate 10ksm. The elementary school curriculum is proscribed by EBO but it is possible to add additional elements. The trustees can influence but also engage as part of the local community. We could offer continuing support by paying teachers, providing equipment etc. More create activities are lacking in the curriculum.
We need to make a difference and show a different way of working before we hand back. Important that we have a clear understanding with the EBO so we remain in partnership with them. Potential improvements to quality of teaching.
Distance learning could be important. Dependant on equipment and training.
Proposal for Workneh 2nd anniversary memorial event 15th May 2021 14:00 BST using the usual Zoom link
- 0:00 – 0:05 Welcome and introduction by St Peter’s vicar (Tina)
- 0:05 – 0:20 Personal contributions in memory of Workneh, hopefully including children and music. (Aster)
- 0:20 – 0:25 A moment of personal reflection and music
- 0:25 – 0:30 The vision of a school in Malkaa-Dhangaa Gudar (Muluneh)
- 0:30 – 0:35 WDEF – the timeline of the past year (Siobhan)
- 0:40 – 0:45 The development of WADA in Oromia (Hirpa)
- 0:45 – 0:50 The proposal for the school (Grima and Feyisa)
- 0:50 – 0:55 How you can help (Brian)
- 0:55 – 0:00 Feedback from everyone and closing remarks (Muluneh)
Comments:
- We need to give WADA as much time as they need.
- End with music.
- Not too many people speaking.
- Difficult to fit in an hour.
Planning group to meet again on Thursday 7:00pm. Anyone who has comments submit them to the group before then and we’ll redraft the programme.
PESTLE
The spreadsheet analysis of responses from 10 trustees can be found here. Main concerns are summarised below. Agreed that small group should consider these (after the Memorial event) and recommend actions to minimise risk.
| Risk | Average trustee response | |
|---|---|---|
| Political | We need a stable political environment that reflects the community’s need and involvement in providing the delivery of education in a local, rural setting. Political situation is currently stable in Oromia | High 2.4 |
| Economic | Global economic downturn as a result of the Pandemic Risk: Impact of economic growth forecasts (Ethiopia is 0% and around 2.2% in UK) | High 2.3 |
| Economic | Grant making could become more restrictive impacting fundraising. Risk: Inability to raise funds for proportional costs from Grants and/or Sponsorship | High 2.4 |
| Technological | Use of technology e.g. phone and internet services and lack of them impacts on information flow and educational provision Risk: Blackouts and/or access limited reducing connectivity | High 2.6 |
| Technological | Infrastructure for the future e.g. digital tools to work virtually, communicate globally Risk: Lack of planning now leads to paucity of provision in the future | High 2.4 |
| Technological | Virtual volunteering is a possibility if the infrastructure is there to allow it. Risk: Access to sustained high quality broadband services | High 2.6 |
| Technological | Cyber security essential to integrity of organisations both in Oromia and UK as well as the planned school Risk: Lack of trained workforce to deliver safe and secure networks | High 2.4 |
| Legal | NGO involvement can be seen as suspect by Governments (both in Ethiopia and UK) and institutions such as banks Risk: Aims and roles of organisations unclear/plans and work schedules unclear/Costs unclear/administrative systems inadequate/communications | High 2.5 |
| Legal | Scrutiny and adherence to regulations in Ethiopia & UK essential Risk: Key personnel not available/Communications | High 2.4 |