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The new JRDC Elementary
School building during its
final
stage of construction.( February 2005) |
View of the JRDC school grounds including
elementary and kindergarten buildings
The
new eight classroom building has
been completed and is already in operation. The kitchen and
cafeteria has also been completed and is about to go into operation
although nutritious meals for the children are already being
provided on a daily basis. Renovation of the old
kindergarten classrooms
have also been completed. We have classrooms, a computer lab, kitchen and cafeteria
that are in need of additional furnishing, computers and there is also an
urgent need for a science lab.
We are thankful to all the hard working sisters
and brothers of Hartford, Connecticut whose 5th Annual Benefit Fashion Show on
June 16th, 2007 contributed significantly to our cause. This
years' Annual Benefit show is scheduled to be held on June 21st
2008 and renown artists are welcome to advance their support by
participating.
Approximately three hundred children, including
those born to the settlers in Ethiopia and other native Ethiopians are currently
in attendance. The operational expense for
the school with a staff of 29 and 300 children, with the support
of the NGO office administrative Staff including, secretary, a
lawyer and translator/consultant, has increased to $32,400
US per year. We are seeking underwriters for this annual budget.
Support for the development of this school can
also be channeled through
our ‘Sponsor
the Education of Children program’.
It takes only $80 US dollars to sponsor the education of a child for one year at the JRDC
school which does not receive any Government funding , but relies solely
on donations, sponsorship, and sacrifice. The larger
project registered under the JRDC NGO project is for the building of the
Shashamane Community Education,
Skill Training and Recreation Center. Please view the new 2008 update
icon in blue above and click on it.
Our focus now is strengthening the administrative arm of the JRDC.
In February 2007 a new office was acquired and staffed with a
secretary, an accountant, lawyer and a
consultant/translator. What is now needed to facilitate
the administration and international communication links
is additional funding for professional staff, computers,
conference telephones, fax machines and copiers.
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Kindergarten students at the Jamaican Rastafarian
Development School in Shashamane. |
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Grade 6, Teacher collecting test papers,
June 24, 2008 |
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The new JRDC Elementary School
building with mural of His Imperial Majesty Hale
Selassie 1 and
students. |
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Creations of children in Art room, April 2008 |
JRDC Primary School Assembly
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