Why Give to Seeds?

As we start the second week of our #SeedsBacktoSchool Campaign we want to share the facts and purpose behind our mission. Our hope is that you will understand the importance of education in Ethiopia and how our organization is making a difference. If you are interested in joining our campaign please click here to donate and help us spread awareness.THE NEED: While 87% children in Ethiopia are enrolled in primary school, only 65% of children actually attend, and only 37% of children make it through the 5th grade. This is reflected in the 55% youth illiteracy rate. Children are often unable to attend school due to illness caused by lack of nutrition, and access to clean water and sanitation services. Additionally, many families cannot afford the cost of schooling and children are pulled out of school in order to work and contribute to the family income. Ethiopia has made incredible strides in increasing access to primary education, but access to schools is not enough to keep children in school. Children must have access to quality education and have the barriers to their education reduced. Seeds of Africa works to combat these barriers in a multitude of ways.THE SOLUTION:Quality Education: At the Take Root Center in Adama, Ethiopia, Seeds of Africa’s foundational education program, Seeding Education, provides high-quality progressive education to children whose families earn less than $75 (USD) per month. Our educational philosophy is student-centered and draws inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach, which “promotes children’s education through the development of all their languages:expressive, communicative, symbolic, cognitive, ethical, metaphorical, logical, imaginative and relational.” Our curriculum is project-based, integrated, and emergent in that it is flexible and adaptable.Preprimary Education: Research has repeatedly shown that quality early childhood education is the most effective way to improve educational achievement, especially in the most disadvantaged populations. In Ethiopia, only 5.5% of children are enrolled in preprimary education program. At the Take Root Center we enroll students in pre-kindergarten at the age of 3.Basic Needs Support: This comes in the form of uniform and clothing provisions, nutritional support, clean water and sanitation services (WASH), and physical and mental health offerings to both the students and their families. Additionally, all student fees and school supplies are covered by Seeds of Africa. When children are not burdened by malnutrition, health issues, or funding to afford a good education, they go beyond staying in school; they flourish. If you are interested in joining our campaign please click here to donate and help us spread awareness. Ethiopia/poverty facts and figures from UNICEF

• Population: 94.1 mil
• Population below international poverty line of US$1.25 per day (%) 2007-2011: 31%
• Pre-primary school participation, Gross enrolment ratio (%) 2008 -2012: 5.5%
• % of children enrolled in primary school: 87%
• Primary school attendance rate: 65%
• % of children that complete all 5 primary school grades: 37%
• Child labour (%) 2002-2012: 27%

*all data provided is the most recent available from UNICEF