Looking to the Future

​Dear members,
We will have this year’s first membership meeting on Sunday, April 17 at 11 am (Pacific Time). I hope this meeting will give you an expanded view of the original intent for Gurda and the need for it to continue. As we are looking ahead and gearing up to launch our year 2016 fundraising campaign for the purpose of changing the worst conditions of our community schools, water and health provisions, we must look back and count our blessings on the things that helped us spring forward.

First and foremost, the leadership would like to thank our number one blessing—YOU—our celebrated members. If it were not for you, we could not even be here today to tell you of a great story—a story of the birth of a child of promise that is Gurda. Gurda’s vision is grand; its leaders are so humble and simple, like all of us. We are simple alright but not simplistic. We cherish our positions of responsibility you have given us. We take our responsibility seriously. That is why our landmark project, Project 1 is set to break ground soon, God willing. As we are tying the loose ends of bureaucratic necessities for Government approval at this moment, we are proceeding in making a firm commitment to organize and mobilize more and more to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. I do not have to remind us all we are a very backward country in terms of provisions of necessities for a modest living. It will take years but the job has begun by our parents and grandparents. Nevertheless, the work must continue and we are the heirs of this grand responsibility.

Project 1, we believe, should begin construction, if not before the end of the year, probably by the beginning of the next. We understand that you know just throwing money to build a boarding school is not sufficient reason for celebration. We believe it is a serious life-long investment and commitment to raise children with visual and hearing challenges so they can, in the long run, lead a successful and worthy living. Our goal is to build a facility that can provide a world class education and life skills preparation in a world class facility. Our beginning is modest. We have no doubt it will grow.

To that effect, we have undertaken certain steps to fulfill the dreams of those who benefit from the facility, those who would run the facility, those who fund the facility, and those who monitor the entire operation. Here they are those steps in no particular order:

1. Last year we visited the site where the school is supposed to be built. We were able to visit the local officials and discuss with them on issues that can affect the entire enterprise. We came away with a positive and supportive environment.
2. We were able to visit currently operating facilities and obtained some advice and counseling from organizations that have engaged in similar school systems to gain some insight and experience in developing the best school facility Gurda can provide.
3. Though we were promised to obtain the construction plot and visited it, we are expecting to obtain title documents of the property so we can build the school and the dormitories.
4. We are expecting to obtain school standard plans for further review and comment. The school for the visually and hearing impaired children is not going to be built the same way as other regular schools.
5. We have met and discussed both in person and on the telephone with a viable prospect in the form of the Catholic Diocese in Emdibir for school operation.  We have reached a verbal agreement into working toward helping this project become successful.  For this to materialize, the Diocese requested that Gurda must do a feasibility study to determine the sustainability of the operation and future needs for expansion. On top of that, stakeholders—the Diocese, Zone Administration and Gurda—must enter in to an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for respective responsibilities.
6. No less, we met and obtained commitment from supporters in Ethiopia. Moreover, we were able to assemble a few folks who are visually challenged to become our advocates for the cause, and they are in the process of organizing to support Gurda and continue to advocate for the visually and hearing impaired.
7. Due to our meeting with committed supporters, we were led to believe we have able persons to further Gurda’s cause and thus recruited Azmach Yirga Gabre Direta, the former President of the Guraghe Peoples Self-Help Organization, to become our official representative in Ethiopia. He will have plenty of people such as Daniel Tebeje in Emdibir standing by him to complete not only project 1 goals but also any other projects Gurda will pick up. I would like to recognize Ato Daniel Abeje for his commitment and resilience to work on Project 1 from the very beginning. He is one big treasure.
8. This January, Gurda leadership and other volunteers from different States gathered in Silver Spring, Maryland, for reviewing the bylaws governing Gurda, our mission and vision, and strategic plans. We also were able to find two able members two join our Board of Directors. We had many discussions on our strategic plan, reorganization effort and coming together. We have updated our bylaws (which is still in the hands of our lawyer putting the final touches on it) and created different committees to perform our duties. When our bylaws are ready, we will bring it for you to review and ratify.
9. To have a presence in Ethiopia and to operate without inhibition, Gurda has finished the required legal process of filing for incorporation as a foreign non-governmental organization in Ethiopia through the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, D.C. We are anxiously awaiting government approval.
10. As you are aware, all this came about after we have obtained a legal not-for-profit status in the United States just about this time last year. That status helped us raise funds for Project 1. Our Finance Committee will present to you the status in a short report. But as Gurda depends on all and everyone who can help it, we will begin and continue raising funds for future projects. The funds we receive from you and others will help us function and develop and pursue new business opportunities both in the United States and elsewhere.
11. Gurda has been inviting members to sign up to do monthly contributions. That is very important for the operation we intend to accomplish. Not only your monthly contributions are needed, but also we invite those of you who are able to give at least two hours a week to join different committees you prefer. We have Finance Committee, Public Relations Committee, Project Planning and Programming Committee, and Membership and Business Development Committee. If we have more and more of you wanting to volunteer, we will form various committee functions to do short term assignments. More than anything else, please note we need your expert advice in fund raising, planning, activities management, office operation, web development, reach out services, etc. We again invite all of you to contribute in whatever skill and knowledge you can contribute. If not you, then who?

Project 1: The reality is Gurda must continue to engage and expand the operation of the new school which is set to be built. If the intent is to make a difference in the lives of the Ethiopian visually and hearing impaired children and their families and communities, there is no other alternative to thinking forward in expanding and increasing its role in the community. We believe local and global help can bring about the needed change in the current situations and we are in the midst of this crisis to shape and channel it to a positive conclusion.
You have made such a great job of getting Gurda this far. But this is just the beginning. Project 1 is just the first of Gurda’s multiple projects that are waiting in the wings. If we only understand our mission and vision, then we know Gurda is not supposed to be a one great project author and implementer. We cannot allow Gurda to become a one hit wonder. While we are concluding one phase of Gurda’s school for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, we have to be prepared for embarking on a plan for maintaining and upgrading the school’s day to day operation as well as seeking other vitally important projects in our communities.

Where are we heading? What are we looking ahead in 2017?

If you happen to visit the rural Guraghe areas (for that matter rural areas of Ethiopia), an indelible mark of poverty and dilapidation will be impressed on your mind.  If you happen to be in such areas, please stop by the neighborhood schools and ask for their needs. You may be surprised by what you may find to help them with. Speak with the local school committee members, if there are any, to show you the places. You will realize our schools are totally dilapidated, inadequately furnished, no laboratories, no libraries, no books, not sufficient bathrooms, no drinking water, no lighting, no health facilities, no playgrounds, on top of that, kids come from distant places, and all children lack nutritious snacks or foods. Yet we see an astounding commitment of the Guraghe in building their own schools. There is a dire need of potable water. Water provisions may be the most important source for good hygiene and health. The situation deems it to be an EMERGENCY. When there is emergency it is a reasonable expectation to take drastic actions to change the situation. Gurda, through its country representative organization, is planning to work with our people on various projects they deem to be essential for the community’s future and growth. They want to work on schools, water systems and health care issues. We are all contributing to change a community for the betterment of the future society. We are not here to create dependency; we are to aid in self-reliance. We are not intent on pushing what we want and desire to see. We are to support as part of that body to participate on the defined needs that come from them. We all know five fingers make a fist. Let us each become the fingers that make the fists that is Gurda. Only then can we knock down the stubborn challenges our community faces.

Simple Goals for 2017

As mentioned above our fund raising this year, will cover programs

1. in refurbishing deteriorating schools at least two schools in each Woreda or even build schools in localities where there is none. There are 15 Woredas in the Guraghe Zone.
2. Digging water wells in areas of dire need. This water project may be done in combination with schools.
3. Provide water system or the provision of solar lighting or purchase necessary health kits or promote education programs in hygiene in the community as needed.
4. To achieve these goals, it requires your diligent monthly contributions of $30 or more, if you can, otherwise you can contribute what you can afford; participating in fund raising events in various cities in the United States; asking for donor organizations; working in collaboration with others. In addition, we have to enlist other Guraghes and even friends of Guraghes to help with our cause. Because we are and will be there for them too.

My Conclusion

1. As the president of Gurda, I have a few things to tell you that are important to me and to Gurda’s future. This work we are doing is a labor of love for our people—not only the Guraghe people but also the Ethiopian people. But charity should begin at home all the time. Having said that, I want to tell you that my integrity, as my fellow Directors’, is questioned all the time. None of us get paid from Gurda.  In fact, it costs us a lot—in time and money—to do it. I do not expect to gain any financial remuneration out of this endeavor. I believe my fellow Directors’ do the same. Almost all of the funds are allocated for our projects and related expenses. We will, however, pay for our organizational operation in Ethiopia.
2. I would like to make this clear to everyone, friend or foe: Gurda will not allow anyone of the directors or their relatives to obtain undue benefit from any projects implemented by our hard-earned money. The ultimate and most important beneficiary will be our people. All of our funds will go directly to our projects. Any qualified work as required by the laws of the United States will earn its due compensation.
3. Most importantly, Gurda is not a political organization or a surrogate to any political or governmental entity. Gurda is an independent non-profit, chartered on the principles of 501 (c ) 3, which will not allow us to favor one political entity over another. We care for and advance the development in education, water provision, health provision, culture, etc. of our people. That is our focus. We are not blind to the fact that one way or another, we will be asked, and even coerced to support or disavow this or that political entity. However, it is Gurda’s charter NOT to engage in such activities. So Gurda is a totally independent entity that furthers its agenda of development within the limits and boundaries of both the US and Ethiopian government regulations. However, Gurda recognizes the rights of its members to believe or support whatever political or religious views they consider is right for them. No member will impose her/his views on any Gurda activity.
4. By no means, Gurda will promote any religious activity nor campaign for the promotion of this or that religion. As with the political entities, so religious entities will have no grip or power over our charter.
5. Finally, Gurda, will do projects, alone when possible, or in collaboration with other organizations. No matter the case, Gurda will not knowingly going to engage in activities that are detrimental to its objectives.

Thank you.
Gurda: a promise to keep!