It is an agreed fact that children, no matter in what conditions they may be, have the right to get quality basic education. However, in many poor countries, children, especially those from low income families whose parents lack the resources to fulfill their needs and governments may not have the resources to provide a free education for all, are deprived of their rights. In such cases, the role nongovernmental and charity organizations can play in accessing education for the vulnerable segments of the society is crucial.
Obviously, whenever a given society is supported to achieve its future aspirations, it is not that particular community who will be benefited from the support; it is also the whole family, the society and the country that profit from the support. On the other hand, a child that is deprived of his right to education will be challenged in building hope for the future aside from the possibility of being a threat to the society.
To this end, countries will invest hugely to access education for all and improve the future of their citizens. In fact, over the past decades, the government of Ethiopia has been undertaking immense activities to access education for all regardless of any differences. As a result, encouraging achievements are witnessed. It was made possible to construct several schools across the country, increase students’ enrollment rate and ensure that economically disadvantaged members of the community get an education.
Supporting the intention of the government to access education for all and lessen the burden of economically disadvantaged segments of the society thereby discharge their social responsibility, some nongovernmental organizations are working to help children get quality education and to build a better future.
Lately, WSG- Bright Star has graduated several students. It has been sponsoring them to attend their education starting from KG class. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Bright Star Board Chairperson, Gizachew Ayka, said that non-governmental organizations are duty bound to support the government in various ways. This is especially true in productive areas where there are gaps and citizens could be economically independent.
Whenever a given child is supported to achieve his/her goals, it is not only that particular child that will be uplifted from his/her condition but also the whole family and the nation as well. “A single graduate with a vision can change himself, his family, and the community at large.”
According to Gizachew, the concept of “supporting” is totally different from “helping”, said. Whenever the mental setting of a given individual or a society is controlled by “help” it tends to develop a dependency syndrome which prevents the person or the community from preparing for better days. However, whenever there is “I can do it” mentality, it will initiate a particular person or community to achieve set goals and it only seeks some support to achieve the goals. This mentality in turn will create industrious citizens that are productive and independent. This is one of the missions of WSG-Bright Star.”
Gezachew also said that whenever needy people join the Bright Star, they will be told to be self-reliant and goal oriented. The organization helps them to make themselves ready to be productive, to dream the best and lead a better lifestyle. Whenever individuals develop such a mentality, nothing will stop them from realizing their dreams.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Standing Committee Member of the Addis Ababa City Administration, Peace, Justice and Good governance Council, Abiy Yilma, said that supporting a society that is in need of help is a moral obligation of every citizen. Helping the society who are in need of government’s support is one way of modern patriotism. This is what Bright Star is doing.
Seconding the view of Gizachew Abiy said that, extending a helping hand to a community to make them achieve a given point is one of the goals of Bright Star. Supporting a given member of society so as to bring a tangible change is showing them the technique how to catch the fish. If not, they tend to look for help in every situation and will develop dependency syndrome. Even if they have the skill and potential to overcome a particular condition, they always try to find a helping hand. This is totally wrong.
Abiy said that, the government is working diligently to produce industries and independent citizens. However, it cannot achieve all its goals by itself. It needs individuals and organizations that share its vision and make it a reality. In this regard, the activity of Bright Star is exemplary. “Enabling citizens to achieve their goal starting from KG class to higher education level needs both commitment and perseverance. This is what I have witnessed at the Bright Star Charity Organization.”
As to him, building a society needs coordinated effort from all. Whenever hands are joined to address the burden of the underprivileged members of the society, it is the whole sectors that will be benefited out of it. Enhancing the active engagement of economically disadvantaged members of the society through education should be the role of every Ethiopian and organization be it governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
Muluken Setotaw, resident of Addis Ababa, is one of the economically disadvantaged members of the society. Due to his economic constraint, he had been supported by WSG- Bright Star Charity Organization. According to him, because of the support he received from the organization, he can attend his education and successfully graduate from a higher educational institution. He said, throughout his life journey in the organization, he has been nurtured to develop a mentality to be independent and self-reliant.
“Whenever economically disadvantaged members of the society are given the desired support, concurrently they should be equipped with an industrious attitude to be independent and contribute their share to the socioeconomic development of the society, Muluken opined.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2023
