The education and protection of needy children is the primary goal of the Emmanuel Development Association. We strive to improve the education of all needy children, especially those who are orphans, vulnerable, and victims of abuse and trafficking. To date, almost 8 million Ethiopian children have benefited from high-quality EDA education programs in 116 primary schools and early childhood education centers. Our educational support services also include primary, upper primary, vocational and life skills training for at-risk children, youth, and victims of human trafficking, and basic literacy training for adults.
Our educational capacity-building programs include the construction of schools, WASH facilities, initial and ongoing training for early childhood and primary teachers, provision of books, learning materials, establishing a center of excellence for innovation and creativity on digital technologies for children, youth and playground equipment. We work in cooperation with the Ethiopian government, private institutions and as of 1997, 116 EDA schools, 28 libraries, and over 1247 communal pit latrines have been constructed and turned over to the government.
EDA also strengthens the capacity of government schools to enhance quality education in its operational areas. Over 289 primary schools in Amhara and SNNPR have been benefited from the establishment of 830 reading campuses and libraries in the community to promote reading culture and quality education for the students, youth, and communities.
Our education programs are highly successful. Since 2000 alone, almost 8 million students who were previously not in school enrolled in our primary and early childhood education centers. Grade 5 students in our programs saw an average increase in grades on national exams from 57% to 80% in one year.