News Archive
News
Gearing up for the Project in Debre Birhan
Posted Saturday, 09 August 2008 19:14
On August 2, the Austin group decided to raise funds for the Debre Birhan students to buy a machine for starting up their business. At least four people have volunteered to raise $600 each towards a total of $6000 that is needed for the Debre Birhan students to begin their business. We are hoping for more people to be part of this process.
Our hopes for Debre Birhan
Posted Monday, 04 August 2008 20:55, by Elias
We hope to duplicate our success in Awassa by enabling a new group of youth to create a company of their own. We have already contacted the local neighborhood kebele with our intentions and they were eager to help us in any way. They helped us to select the group which will be trained; and Solomon is now coordinating with the students and trainers.
We have sent funds to support the meals, housing, and courses for the students for a period of 12 months.
Teleconference with Trainees in Ethiopia
Posted Sunday, 13 April 2008 06:32, by Elias
We had a teleconference with YESSERA program trainees in Ethiopia today, April 12th, 2008. You can hear the conversation below.
Download the audio file of the Teleconference with Trainees (mp3 - 5.3MB)
Read the transcript of the Teleconference with Trainees
An Inspiring Story
Posted Saturday, 12 April 2008 07:56, by Elias
A woman from Detroit started a Girls Education and Self Sufficiency Program in Senegal. "They learn skills to produce products for exports." They have over 10,000 students in their program.
Awassa trainees share experiences
Posted Monday, 24 March 2008 17:56, by Solomon Retta
We have conducted the first experience sharing meeting. YESSERA Awassa Construction Association Manager and Secretary shared their best experiences with YESSERA D.Berhan trainees here in Addis. There presentations, questions and answers.The trainees have learned a lot from Awassa people. Both expressed their appreciation and gratitude for YESSERA America and people assisting them here. The meeting created an opportunity to know each other and share vision and mission of YESSERA and on how to work together.I and Aselef were impressed by their active participation during the discussion.We are very proud of our people.The participants emphasized the need for such meetings in the future. I will send you group photo. Minutes were taken as usual.
I felt that Discovery Consultancy Services should facilitate training sessions such as Business Plan writing,entrepreneurship development, monitoring and evaluation, etc.Workshops can be organized for YESSERA Awassa Construction Association members and other similar organizations in Awassa.This may help us to popularize YESSERA's vision so that others may replicate. We can do many things for the country on cost effective basis.
Yours,
Solomon Retta
Great Run to Asella
Posted Sunday, 06 May 2007 19:58, by Elias
While the great run to Asella is not directly related to the work of YESSERA, you will find footage of a couple of the founding members of YESSERA, namely, Aklilu and Solomon. They were part of the organizing committee that put this Great Run event together. Enjoy the videos.
* Great Run to Asella
* World Harmony Run (1)
* World Harmony Run (2) (better quality) with intro by Solomon.
* World Harmony Run (3): (better quality) Some nice country-side scenery.
* World Harmony Run (4): (better quality) Featuring an Ethiopian Song, "Aman Adelam Woy Balagaru"
* World Harmony Run and Yessera Graduates (part 1)
* World Harmony Run and Yessera Graduates (part 2)
* World Harmony Run and Yessera Graduates (part 3)
* World Harmony Run and Yessera Graduates (part 4)
News Archives
July 26, 2005 - YESSERA is now in a posiiton to supply the Awassa graduates with a mixer and brick maker about $3300 USD—(both new, $19000 EB, $8000 EB for each). Our volunteers in Ethiopia will help in buying and finalizing the transaction and produce pictures and receipts, etc. This phase of launching is so important, and so delayed, and yes, it is another step in the right direction toward self-sufficiency.
Upcoming Challenges
Now that our first batch of students have successfuly graduated and worked together to create a company. The next step is to give them as much support in making this company profitable so that they can become self sufficient and create opportunities for others.
To this end we are currently exploring the following ideas:
* Purchasing a Cement Mixer: This would be ideal for the graduates since it gives them leverage to work on larger projects and perhaps even rent it to other construction crews. A major hurdle is financing.
* Rent Machine: Rent machine and test its usefulness within some time frame for a viable business operation. Positive result should lead to getting a new machine and larger operation with a good funding infusion--and by then a good business plan.
Our Progress:
Cement Mixer $2000 (USD)
Funds Raised: $2000
Remaining: $0
Feb. 8, 2005 - The Awassa Qabale officials have promised to rush the paperwork for the YESSERA graduates through the business registration process.
In addition, they said they would do everything possible to see that these young men and women will be able to contribute to their society by using their skills.
-Elias H.
