New Life Community College
The New Life Community College (NLCC) is a non-profit organization which bases its philosophy on three fundamental elements: Educational Excellence, Market-Orientation and Communal bonds. It is a joint project of the Ethiopian New Life Community Organization and the European association, PROJECT-E.
Primary Goal
To provide for a better future for young and underprivileged women within Ethiopian society by means of providing them with an outstanding high-quality education.
Implementation
Offering the highest standard of training program for executive office assistants in Ethiopia.
To enable 15 young girls to become highly qualified through the training program every year.
Strong alliance between the College and the Ethiopian private sector to produce best options for skills transfer and employment opportunities
Educational Excellence
Our motivation is to offer the best training program for office assistants to young and underprivileged women in Ethiopia. By giving them a viable perspective for the future we are enabling them to make a difference for the whole of Ethiopia. The high-quality education students receive involves complete transparency and individual guidance. The training is designed for excellence under application of the Ethiopian Occupational Standard (EOS) ETQF Level IV. Although the college was accredited according to that standard by the Ethiopian National TVET Agency, the ambitious curriculum far exceeds the EOS.
Student Selection Criteria
These two criteria – a lack of other options for education and academic excellence - are the guiding principles in the admission process to NLCC.
Our students are mostly orphans or socially deprived young women. Once they have reached the 10th grade at high school they have often no prospects for further education. Especially for young women this inevitably means that they are forced to work as servants or even as prostitutes. As a consequence of strong cooperation between NLCC and orphanages as well as “child care programs” the fatal cycle of poverty is immediately interrupted since NLCC graduates are trained to earn their own living. This also means that the training program will reduce prostitution, HIV and an ever-increasing number of orphans in Ethiopia.
Educational Standards
The training program at NLCC requires commitment to high educational standards and expects students to perform extraordinarily well.
NLCC’s philosophy can be further described as market orientated as by 2014 all its funds will be raised in Ethiopia. It is our goal that not only NLCC graduates profit from NLCC’s business network but also national and international companies since the companies have the opportunity to employ a trainee of NLCC.
The strengthening of the community in the broadest sense is fourfold.
Firstly, the Ethiopian cultural identity will be strengthened. The girls will be given the opportunity to explore the history and civilization of their country, thus gaining a new awareness of their cultural identity. We feel it is important to cultivate the girls' identification with their country if we are to prevent "brain drain" to other countries. Therefore every year NLCC organizes a journey through Ethiopia to get into touch with the rich national heritage. In this sense NLCC could be helpful to overcome some animosities and hostilities that still prevail between Ethiopian tribes.
Secondly, the Ethiopian economy will be strengthened. Intensive training as office assistants focusing on computer competence, fluency in English, and practical ability will ensure an above-average income for all graduates.
Thirdly, the role of Ethiopian women will be strengthened. Through its work NLCC can strengthen the role of women in Ethiopia's strongly patriarchal society. Financial independence achieved by means of a well-paid job is the best prerequisite.
Finally, NLCC’s own community will be strengthened. Alumnae (i.e. former students) are expected to participate as teachers in training programs of future classes at NLCC. This guarantees that new students can take advantage of the acquired know-how of graduates of NLCC.
Donations to NLCC may be made to:
United Bank – Hilton Branch
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Account name: “New Life Community Organization – PROJECT-E
Account number: 077
SWIFT: UNTDETAAXXX
1. Contact the College directly:
New Life Community College
P.O. Box 31698
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Project Manager: mesele@nlc-college.com +251-911-17 69 66
Gigi
Returns
It's February and one of the biggest names in Ethiopian music is going to be performing live in Ethiopia for the very first time.
Ejigayehu Shibabaw, better known as Gigi, is one of Ethiopia's most-loved female vocalists. She's defined by her style of music and her lyrics which are unlike most popular music in Ethiopia. What follows is a brief excerpt from Wikipedia:
Gigi was born and raised in the north-west Ethiopia small town called Chagni. She lived in Kenya for a few years before moving to San Francisco around 1998. She recorded two albums for the expatriate Ethiopian community, but it was her 2001 album, titled simply Gigi, that brought her widespread attention. She had been noticed by Palm Pictures owner Chris Blackwell, who had years earlier introduced reggae to the mainstream through his former label, Island Records. Blackwell and Gigi's producer (and later, husband) Bill Laswell, decided to use American jazz musicians (including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders and others) to accompany Gigi on the new album. She has also appeared in 'Running From the Light' in Buckethead's Enter the Chicken.
The result was a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds. The album was a critical success internationally.
Gigi's voice may be heard in the Hollywood film Beyond Borders (2003), in which Angelina Jolie portrays an aid worker during the 1984 - 1985 famine in Ethiopia.
Gigi is loved for the musical style and the instruments she uses as well as for her lyrics and the messages her songs carry. For years, her fans have listened to her songs and finally this year, they will all get the chance to hear her perform live.
Gigi's concert will be held on the 5th of February at the gardens of the Ghion Hotel. This historical event has been organized by Adika Communication and Events, MG Promotions, M Production and Addis View Hotel and car rental. The event will also feature Helen Berhe and DJ Dagi.
So why not keep the first Saturday of February free and come enjoy one of Ethiopia's favourite voices.
Tickets are available for 350 Birr inclusive of VAT at Fahrenheit Lounge, Ghion Hotel, Adika Communication and Events (Peacock Adika) and Sami Mobile (near Dembel).
Shemelis Desta’s Ethiopian Archive (1963 – 1982) at ADDIS FOTO FEST
Against the political and historical events that defined the twentieth century, Shemelis Desta (b. 1937, Ethiopia) recorded the tumultuous history of Ethiopia. Now, many of the key figures and moments he captured can be seen for the first time during the ADDIS FOTO FEST, a major new festival taking place in Addis Ababa this month of December.
Shemelis Desta was Haile Selassie's official photographer beginning in the early 60s and continuing till his deposition in 1974. After the 1974 military coup, Desta continued for 8 years as the official photographer to Mengistu Haile Mariam. Throughout this period he faithfully hid his negatives of previous and current work. Escaping to the UK in 1982 he ensured his unique historical archive of approximately 7,000 images were spared destruction and sent to him.
Thanks to the support of British Council and Autograph ABP, Shemelis will be flying in from London to attend the festival as a special guest of honor. This tribute not only celebrates the power of documentary photographs but also the story of a very personal journey. His work, to be exhibited at the opening show on December 7th 2010 at the Alliance Ethio-francaise, will be the focal point of a collective exhibition entitled “Ethiopia/Interior Visions” curated by the prominent young photographer Aida Muluneh.
Aida is also the director of this weeklong international photo festival focusing on the image(s) of Africa and which will feature 13 exhibitions as well as screenings, residencies, portfolio reviews, panel discussions and much more. Among other topics, participants will discuss issues of ethics and standards for African photography in a globalized market. With over 30 artists and curators flying in from 18 different countries, this promises to be a unique and special event in Addis.
For more info: www.addisfotofest.com
I WANT TO CHANGE A YOUNG CHILD’S LIFE!
Our Fathers Kitchen is a child - feeding programme operating under the umbrella of HAPCSO Vulnerable children. Many orphans and some living with HIV/AIDS are fed once a day to help them go to school and live a healthy life.
This project is a partnership between HAPCSO, Beza Lewegen, FHI and
the Lime Tree.
Every time I enjoy a meal with friends and family, I want to make sure that somewhere in Addis a less fortunate child is being fed.
For more information about Our Father’s Kitchen, telephone: 0911 67 8419 or
contact ourfatherskitchen@yahoo.com
Donation drop offs: The Lime Tree. Be sure to collect a Receipt!
