We accomplished the relocation of Addis Guzo to a new project site, and our project shines with new splendor. Seven years after Addis Guzo was “born” in Ethiopia, the next "phase of life" commences at a new location.
The windows have been cleaned, the rooms painted, the kitchen installed, the sports field concreted, the workbenches set up, and the therapy room furnished. The last months have been very intensive and hectic for Tamirat, our Country Director, for our project coordinators, Alexandra and Martina, as well as for the whole team of Addis Guzo. But the effort was worth it, the new "dress" is in place!
The wheelchair workshop is set up. Repair services have started, and many customers receive the long-awaited aids.
Betty is happy about the wheelchair with auxiliary motor.
First road tests with the new "car”.
Quite often, the children of the day care centre make use of all the available space outside.
Children’s and parents’ mood are cheerful and relaxed.
The micro-business groups are also happy with their new workplaces.
And somehow their products radiate this happiness.
On the sports field: There is a lot of training going on before the start of the big rainy season.
With touching passion, the new 16-member dance group rehearse their first performance.
On May 3rd, a big inauguration party for Addis Guzo’s new home took place. Among the guests were our friends and acquaintances, clients and their relatives from all of our activity fields, representatives of partner organizations, the Ethiopian authorities, the Canadian Embassy and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), as well as the Swiss Ambassador Daniel Hunn.
These are the impressions of a wonderful celebration:
Meron explains the services of the wheelchair workshop to the Swiss ambassador, Daniel Hunn.
And Misile describes the day-to-day activities in the day care centre for families with disabled children.
A festival of encounters – on a wonderful day!
Meeting between guests and families of the day care centre.
Meeting between customers and "producers" of the handicrafts.
Meeting between athletes, high-ranking guests and organizers.
Tamirat, our Country Director, opening the official part of the ceremony.
Betty and Martina lead the program. Fully involved and taking centre stage: our youngest customers.
Speakers receive special gifts: here Ato Haile Gebreselassie from the Civil Society Organization Agency.
With great anticipation, the wheelchair basketball players wait for their performance...
… to proudly present their talents and skills.
Dance trainers Jessie and Dave announce the performance of their dancers.
An impressive ...
. . . and touching performance.
The audience is enchanted.
There’s a lot of relief and gratitude at the end of the wonderful celebration.
And last but not least the big buffet!
Everyone claps and dances at the exuberant after-event party – no matter if with or without disabilities, old or young, black or white, or anything in between!
Exuberance even among the Addis Guzo women. A strong team!
. . . and also, at Addis Guzo
There still is an undeveloped area on the new project site. Even though the space in front of the "big wall" still seems empty, it is already filled with an idea!
In joint action with the associations KuKuk-Kultur, rollaid, and the company Qualifutura, we anticipate to green up this area, and turn it into an adventure playground. More information will be sent out soon!
Addis Guzo makes you happy ;-)
Association Addis Guzo
Donation account: IBAN CH95 0900 0000 6052 4186 7 - BIC POFICHBEXXX
www.addisguzo.com / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Addis Guzo, Neue Reise - Neue Fahrt, 3000 Bern