"Assiniboine Park" is where it all started

I remember the day It was 22 August, 2015. That is where I believe the Journey started. I means that is where , and when the project "A Journey back to Sedika from Winnipeg" launched. I was thinking and rethinking about the idea since I came across the idea during my reflection for the course I was taking.

However, It was on this time I decided to share the idea that compelled me to do something. I think I should share with you about some of my recent experience.

What Initiated the project?

In the summer of 2015 I was taking 5 spring summer courses at the university of Winnipeg. At the time I was enrolled in a 5 years integrated bachelor of education program at the University of Winnipeg. One of the courses I was taking is called Sociology of Learning in Educational Setting. It was a very interesting course that deals with many interesting topics related to education, society, and its impact on education.

So, for the assessment purpose we had to write two reflection papers of topic of our interest. I happened to choose and reflect on topic that I is close to me. I reflected on the approaches of education by comparing the education system of Ethiopia, Which is the country I was born, and Canada, the country I live now.

I reflected using my own personal experiences and observation for I passed through the education system of Ethiopia, and I was able to learn and observe the approaches of Education in Canada. I reflected using the knowledge and skills I have acquired through my studies and students teaching experiences. When I looked back to learn, analyse, and understand the approaches used in the process of teaching and learning, I learned a lot. The good thing is I have personal experiences, and observation of the approaches of both countries education system for Ethiopia is the country I was born and grew up, and Canada, is the country I lived for the past few years.

I believe the whole experience provided me an opportunity to look back to think, and analyse to understand my own early years experiences. I learned a lot. I learned the approach is more teacher center In Ethiopia for the teacher take the role of teaching, and students are more passive. Teachers often are not easy to approach for students because of the social norm and teachers spend most of their time talking, writing notes on the board and giving assignment. As I indicated students are more passive learners for they are often listening to their teachers, or writing notes from the board or working on their homework when they get home. When It comes to Canada, the approach is more students center. teachers in Canada are more close to their students, and students are often engaged in activities during the teaching learning process. When I looked back I learned there is no much access to school supplies and other educational aid materials that will help students in their learning in Ethiopia. In Canada, students have access to all the school supplies and other educational aid materials that support their studies.

I learned there is huge lack of basic school supplies, tools and educational aid materials and resources in Ethiopia, particularly in rural schools. I know having access to school supplies and other educational aid materials is huge in the process of teaching and learning. The fact is children will learn better about themselves, about their immediate environment and about the world they are living in if they are provided all the resources, the tools they needed to learn.

This is what I did after the decision to design and launch this project. I decided to save 50$ each month that goes to the cause of this project for I am convinced to do this before I ask people to support the project. I also decided to share this idea with others including my classmates at the University of Winnipeg.

I together with some friends organised an event at Assiniboine park to launch the project. We invited around 40 people, people I know from school, church and other walk of life. This is what I did for the event, I myself prepared Ethiopian traditional meal , and another friend of mine also prepared some meal. As I said we invited people and 19 people showed up receiving our invitation. I am grateful for all the people who came to hear from me and to support me working on the project. We basically had a great time for most people enjoyed the meal, and the conversation we had. We were able to raise around $500 Canadian during this event. Not only that there came out some wonderful stories that became an inspiration for me until this day.

I want to share two stories that became very powerful inspiration for me work and continue working on this project. The first story came out earlier in the day. Before, I came to Assiniboine park I spend most of my morning preparing Ethiopia Traditional meal "Dorro Wotte" and by preparing for the short presentation. I went out of my apartment around 11 in the morning to buy some things from a close by store where I was living. When I left my apartment I met Bruce standing around. Bruce is a neighbor for we live in the same apartment. We often greet each other when we meat. So as usual I greeted Bruce and we had a short conversation. During this conversation he asked me how my morning was and what my plan for the afternoon was. I was hesitant to share with him about the plan for I never talked to him about before, but after a brief hesitation I shared with him about my plan for the afternoon, which is the event we organised in Assiniboine park. I told him about the event and its objective briefly.

Bruce listened to him carefully and told me he wanted to support me , but he was sorry he didn't have much money to do so. I told him not to worry, and appreciated his willingness to help me. I left to buy the stuff and returned back to my apartment after a while.

Few minutes later, I heard someone was nocking on my door. When I opened the door, I learned it was Bruce. He told me he was sorry that he was not able to come to event and to support me. I again told him that it is alright and he should not worry. he said, however he is willing to donate 5 dollar he has. I was really touching moment for me for I know he wanted to support me , the cause , but he don't have enough money. For me , It was a great moment for I know he was willing to do that and he showed me by giving the money he has, which was five dollar. I told him that I appreciated his donation and I told him what it means for me. It means a lot for he was the first person to support the cause, and it is the first donation I received to work on this project. . I will always remember Bruce when I think of this project and how I started it.

The other inspiring story came out of the event at Assiniboine park . During this event I did a short presentation about the project and what initiated me to work on this. So, people buy the food $20 that goes toward the project and some people donated some money. While I was collecting the donation I have seen a cheque of $100 Canadian written by Jessica , a friend came to support us. We were able to interact and share thoughts after the meal. So, I asked Jessica why she decided to give us $100 for it was the biggest money we received. What I heard from Jessica was an inspiration for me for she told me she graduated in Education from the university in Ontario and she told me she always wanted to support children in their education. She told me she didn't do it with various reason and she gave the money to me for I am doing what she believe is right to do. I even don't know she studied education before, and it was inspiring for me for she gave me that money for she believed in the cause, which is providing children to have access to school supplies and other educational aid materials and to have access to support system. It was inspiring to me and I always remember Jessica and her support.

Since then we continued the conversation around the idea of the project and planed to continue working to achieve the projects objective. project. We organised various fundraiser event to raise some fund that will help us achieve the project objectives. another fundraising event on 10, April 2016. This time around 30 people showed up and confirm their willingness to support this project. I was a wonderful experience, many people able to involve in this project. Some people were willing to help me welcome and serve the food. Some supported me by sharing the information with others and bringing their friends and families. Some winning to sell ticket going from place to pace. I always remember and appreciate the support I received from Desta, the owner of Mermen Cafe. She prepared the meal for many people and was willing to prepare the meal with half price. I appreciate the support I receive from Aman, Weynee, Awote. I appreciate the tremendous work of Daniels, a friend from university, were able to share with many people about the project in his community. He in fact was able to raise around 250 dollar alone. I appreciate the support I received from another friend Danial and Connie. I appreciate the support I received from the CHAI community, Alan, Chris, grace. I remember the first people who bought the ticket and showed the willingness to come to support the project was from CHAI. It was Sylvia and Greg. I remember the first person who came was Olga and then Henry and his wife Betty. I appreciate my friend Marina and hr friend Kene. I will remember brothers from the church, Bro. Degefa, and bro Admasu, and his friend Philip. I remember all the people came to the event. During this event I was able to do a short presentation about the project and what I was able to accomplish thus far. It was very interesting for it was more interactive. I was able to have a conversation with the people, they were asking me questions and provided me their fed backs and suggestions. They suggested how I should go with the project idea. How I should look for a charitable organisation to work with, and what my next fund raising events should conciser. It was all great, I learned a lot through. I am sure God would be proud of all these people who are willing to involve and me as well. I believe the project will be able to accomplish its goals in due time for I know God would make things beautiful in his own time. Let the will of God be done is my only prayer when I think of the whole idea of the project.