EDA annual bulletin / 2nd Edition
Prepared by EDA Board of Directors
August 15, 2013
Thank You to Each And Every One of You!
Wadisherifery Eritrean Refugee School and Association of Disabled Eritreans fundraising Campaign Update
Background
The history of Eritrean refugees in Eastern Sudan dates back to the late 60s and early 70s when hundreds and thousands of Eritreans began to arrive in Eastern Sudan, fleeing Ethiopia’s systematic
and massive civilian persecution carried out in the form of burning entire villages, destroying crops, killing livestock, and executing those suspected of aiding and sheltering the Eritrean freedom fighters.
Throughout the Eritrean independence war and until 1991, close to one million Eritreans left their country and settled in Eastern Sudan, and few others made their way to the Middle East, Europe, and
North America. Until 1990s, UNHCR in cooperation with the Sudan Commissioner for Refugees (COR) provided health, basic education, and other needs to the Eritrean refugees. And Eritrean refugees
continued to be welcomed by Sudanese government until 1990.
After Eritrea gained its independence in 1993, the new government of Isayas Afeworki drifted into dictatorship and began implementing repressive policies, resulting in withdrawing from the repatriation accord it signed with Sudan and UNCHR, and effectively preventing Eritrean refugees from returning to their country. In addition, since the current government of Eritrea came to power, thousands of Eritreans have been fleeing the country into Eastern Sudan and Ethiopia due to massive persecution and human rights violation perpetrated against them by the regime.
Wadisherifeyl students starting the 2013 / 2014 academic year in a renovated school environment
The repatriation program being out of option and the refugee status of Eritreans not fully recognized by the UNHCR and Sudan, Eritrean refugees in Sudan began to face tremendous financial and other aid challenges, particularly two institutions: the Eritrean refugee school at Wadisherifey and the disabled Eritreans in Kassala that used to get aid from UNHCR and other agencies.
Since UNHCR aid became no longer available, Eritreans and friends of Eritreans of good will began to explore the possibilities of raising funds for both Wadisherifey Eritrean Refugee School and disabled Eritreans. In response, three nonprofit organizations were formed, now in operation worldwide. The purpose and function of these nonprofit organizations is to fill the void left by UNHCR and to raise funds through various fund raising events and cover some of the basic expenses of both the school and the disabled Eritreans.
Fundraising Update
1. Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA) is a California (USA) registered nonprofit association, permitted to raise funds through fund raising events around the world. The EDA has been engaged in fund raising efforts for years now in order to cover the expenses of basic school supplies for students (books, pencils, notebooks, and backpacks), wages of instructors and school guards, school furniture (desks, tables, chairs), and other overhead expenses, which are necessary to the continued functioning of the school. In the year 2012, EDA held numerous fundraising events, namely in North America (Oakland, CA; Saskatoon, Canada; Houston, TX; Washington, DC; and Frankfurt, Germany (at the Eritrean annual Frankfurt festival). Still, a number of other cities are in the process of organizing fundraising event. Part of the money raised by EDA in the year 2012 was sent to Wadisherifey School and was spent for repairing the school building (aging roof, leaking walls, faded paints of classroom walls and school furniture). Wadisherifey School has 651 pupils for the academic year of 2013/2014 of which 574 are enrolled in elementary and 77 in middle school. The school has a registration backlog due shortage of class rooms and instructors, which all is attributed to insufficient budget. This is a worrisome situation and unless we double our efforts to raise more funds, we will have a numbers of Eritrean children with no access to education. Another major concern is shortage of drinking water and lack of good sanitation at the Wadisherifey School, which also requires funding. This is a major area of concern for EDA and other partners, and individual donors.
Disabled Eritreans in a dire need of wheelchairs.
Their living place is in need of renovation
Association of Disabled Eritreans (ADE), a France based association, has chapters in different parts of the world. Its main focus is to cover the expenses of food, medical care, and maintaining the ever-deteriorating house that they live in. The ADE has a volunteer board of directors. The fund it raises comes from Eritreans and friends of Eritreans. Although the ADE is continuing to engage in raising funds, the current basic expenses of the
disabled Eritreans is far more expensive than the fund the ADE raises. In addition, expenses for maintaining and repairing wheelchair, crutches, and other walking aids used by the disabled Eritreans is another area where the ADE is struggling to find ways to address it.
Association Suisse Enfance-Erythree (ASEE) is a Geneva, Switzerland based nonprofit organization, and it works in close cooperation with a resident of Milano, Italy, father Marino Haile and his partners. It has been active for the last nine years in raising funds for Wadisherifey School and in covering the major expenses of the school, notably operating expenses of the school and other overhead expenses. In this year alone, the ASEE raised
15,000 US dollars by organizing a fundraising event at the 22nd Annual Geneva Music Festival. Members of the ASEE sold native Eritrean and Sudanese drinks/foods, as well as Swiss foods during the event and the result was remarkably successful.
The Challenges
Both the Wad-Sherifey Eritrean Refugee School and the Association of Disabled Eritreans do not get assistance from governmental or humanitarian organizations. All their expenses are covered by money donated by Eritreans and friends of Eritreans every year. Members of ASEE, EDA, and ADE are volunteers and all money raised in any fundraising event is sent both to Wad-Sherifey School and to the disabled Eritreans in Eastern Sudan. Both institutions have continued to function for the last many
years because of the generosity and personal resources of Eritreans and friends of Eritrean individuals who are steadfastly devoted to helping Eritrean refugee children stay in school, as well as to assisting and supporting Eritrean disabled persons with their basic needs.
EDA and its partners appreciate your continued willingness and commitment to support both the Wadisherifey Eritrean refugee school and the Association of disabled Eritreans. We need each one of you to join us as we continue our fundraising campaign to make a sustainable difference in the lives of those less fortunate than us, the Eritrean refugee children and the disabled Eritreans. The Wad- Sherifey School and the Association of Disabled Eritreans count on your donations. It is through the generosity and commitment of donors like you that the Wad-Sherifey Eritrean Refugee School and the Association of Disabled Eritreans continue to function.
We also thank you the hundreds of tireless volunteers who continue to lend their valuable time freely to organize and facilitate our fundraising campaign each year.
Remember, all donations are tax deductible and all donations go to support these two institutions. Donations can be made by cash or check in any fundraising event or you may send a check to the below address at any time. Without your donations, the two institutions may close down. Don’t let that happen! In Addition, we are looking for help finding potential donors in your neighborhood, in the town you live, or in your work place that would be willing to donate.
Office Address
EDA, Inc.
5438 Giuffrida CT
San Jose, CA 95123
USA
Please Write your checks payable to: EDA, Inc
Email: hagosna@sbcglobal.net; asgedetmeh@comcast.com; gteme84011@aol.com
Website: www.eritreacare.org
August, 2013
Public Announcement
Eritrean Democratic Association, Inc. (EDA) invites your participation at a Fundraising Dinner Party to help Wad-sherifey Eritrean refugee school and war disabled veterans center at Kassala, Sudan.
Place: Temple Of Good Hope,610,55th Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Date: May 11, 2013
Time: 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Dinner: Home cooked Eritrean Cuisine with soft beverage
Brief presentation will be addressed by EDA officials followed by a school slideshow and clips of
movie filmed at the school and veterans’ Center in Kassala.
Entertainment: variety of cultural music played by DJ artist
Please be on time and show your support for Eritrean Refugee Children to go to school.
Your Host: EDA Board of Directors