• About
  • Our Work
  • Join
  • Partner
  • Media
EMAIL SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

Sign-up for monthly updates on Winrock's work around the world.

Volunteer William Horen provides hands-on soil testing demonstrations to nunnery staff and girls from the orphanage.

VOLUNTEER BLOG

International Day of the Girl Child

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Jen Snow

October 11 is the (first ever) International Day of the Girl Child. Over the years, our volunteers have made a difference in the lives of many girls, whether it be by providing agricultural, entrepreneurship, or skills training to youth (girls and boys), or by increasing incomes and food security at the household level –to ensure that girls (and boys) have food to eat and money to pay for school fees or healthcare.

Last month, two volunteers – Hans Schmitz and William Horan from Purdue University –traveled to Ethiopia to work with girls and caretakers at Sebeta Getesemani Nunnery/Orphanage in Oromia, Ethiopia. Established in 1961, the Nunnery is situated on the premises of the former Palace of Empress Menen. There are approximately 85 Orthodox Christian nuns and 215 orphans at the nunnery – all women and girls. Many of the orphans have lost their parents to HIV/AIDs, famine, or civil wars. The nunnery has cows that provide milk as well as dairy products (yogurt and butter) that the women and girls use for self-consumption and for sale to the local community. Likewise, the nunnery has agriculture fields where they grow a variety of cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables.

While Hans conducted an informative training on dairy cattle management, Bill got the nuns and students excited about agriculture and life skills learning (demonstrating how to conduct practical soil fertility and pH tests, how to make compost, and aspects of conservation agriculture). Although the trainings took place during the rainy season, the skies were mostly clear, and Hans and Bill were able to mix their classroom training with hands-on field training. (See photos below)

Volunteer Hans Schmitz talks with Sebeta Getesemani Nunnery/Orphanage staff and youth about improved dairy practices

Volunteer Hans Schmitz talks with Sebeta Getesemani Nunnery/Orphanage staff and youth about improved dairy practices

The manager of the nunnery, Emahoy Firkter Mariam, is grateful for the support that they received.

“These two training sessions helped us to know the type of soil in our garden and what the dairy cows need from us to give us back good milk yield,” she explains. “My fellow nuns and youth gained life skills on soil testing techniques and dairy cow management. Looking at the committment of these volunteers from USA, we learned how much volunteerism means to members of the orphanage community. Thanks for coordinating and materializing this volunteer assignment!”

Hans and Bill were fortunate in that their assignment happened to overlap with the Ethiopian New Year holiday celebration. Both first time visitors to Ethiopia, they celebrated the day at the nunnery. The orphans performed dances, and Hans and Bill were offered a feast of Ethiopian food. Towards the end of his trip, Bill commented, “It was neat to see a new culture.”

Today, we celebrate the efforts of Hans and Bill, along with so many other volunteers who have dedicated their time to make the world a better place for girls around the world.

Happy International Day of the Girl Child!

Posted in Africa, Ethiopia | Tagged Ethiopia, girls, giving back, international volunteers, people-to-people exchange, youth
ABOUT FARMER-TO-FARMER WINROCK VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE

SUBSCRIBE TO POSTS

Loading

ARCHIVE

  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011

CATEGORIES

  • AET
  • Africa
    • Ghana
    • Senegal
  • Asia
  • Bangladesh
  • Cuba
  • El Salvador
  • Ethiopia
  • Field Staff
  • Guinea
  • Kenya
  • Latin America
  • Mali
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Nigeria
  • Postharvest
  • Rural Livelihoods
  • Senegal
  • Spotlights
  • Volunteer Feedback
  • Volunteer of the Month
  • Winrock Staff
WinrockIntl
Tweets by @WinrockIntl
Follow @WinrockIntl

204 E 4th Street | North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114

ph +1 501 280 3000 | fx +1 501 280 3090

2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 700 | Arlington, Virginia 22202

ph +1 703 302 6500 | fx +1 703 302 6512

  • Contact
  • E-News Signup
  • Low Bandwidth
  • Code of Conduct
  • Winrock Privacy Statement
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
Copyright © 2015- Winrock International
DEV ENVIRONMENT