Human Space Flight Day special 7th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture on 15th April

Now elevate your imagination beyond skies... 

Spend a couple of hours with Ethiopia's leading space scientist!

International Day of Human Space Flight special 

7th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture

Speaker: Dr. Solomon Belay Tessema, Associate Professor, Astrophysics, Addis Ababa University; and Director, Entoto Observatory and Research Centre.

Topic: Journey of Ethiopian Astronomy and Space Science

Time, Date: 9.30am, 15 April 2015 (Wednesday) {7 Miazia 2007 EC}

Venue: Library Hall, Ambo campus, Micro Business College

Flyer for Human Space Flight Day special 7th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture by eminent Ethiopian Space Scientist Dr. Solomon Belay Tessema on 15 April at Ambo campus of Micro Business College. 

Efficient water management system, need of the hour: Abera Tilahun

President of Micro Business College,
Mr. Abera Tilahun giving opening remarks
during 6th Wangari Maathai Memorial
Lecture at Woliso campus on 24th March. 

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun opined that to make use of its extremely low levels of hydraulic infrastructure, the country needed highly efficient water management system. He was giving opening remarks during the 6th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series at Woliso campus of the college on 24 March. He added that since rain-fed subsistence agriculture is the base for the country’s socio-economic growth, water management must receive a prime place in the developmental plans. 

“Our country is blessed by 14 major rivers to get the nickname, Water Tower of Africa. Disappointingly, our water flows out without optimum use, due to lack of proper irrigation systems”, he said. Quoting statistics, Mr. Abera added that the country uses just 1.5 percent of its river water for irrigation and mere 1 percent for power production. 

He said that it should not be ignored that when developed countries like the USA, for example invested a mere 1 litre of water for producing 1 calorie food; developing countries like Ethiopia needed to use 100 litres for growing 1 calorie food. 

He reiterated that his college believed in Wangari Maathai’s great ideal of doing small things to bring big changes. He expressed optimism that the college’s upcoming Wangari Maathai Integrated Rural Development Scheme of Uru-Gamo would contribute to the watershed management of Guddar river area, finally adding to the well being of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.  Mr. Abera requested Prof. Tafa Tulu to provide necessary advice and guidance in this regard for the college.  

As respect flows for a water expert

Picture speaks: President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun presents a framed painting depicting two women collecting water from a stream, to Prof. Tafa Tulu, speaker for the 6h Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture.PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

Prof. Tafa Tulu receives Certificate of Honour from Mr. Abera Tilahun. PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P. 

6th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture: Audience

Participants of World Water Day special 6th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture join for photo with speaker, Prof. Tafa Tulu at Woliso campus of Micro Business College on 24 March. PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P., YADETA YADESA.

Questions and answers on water facts

After the lecture it was time for the participants to open their minds and make a free discussion with the presenter. Like a seasoned teacher, Prof. Tafa Tulu was attending to and providing answers and explanations in a notably simple language to make even the toughest technical aspects palatable for the heterogeneous audience. To depict a few:

Mr. Yadeta Yadesa

How would you support us in making optimum water useage at our campus?

“I will provide all technical support. I saw the acquifer you have identified and established. We can think of integrated agriculture with fishery, poultry and horticulture”. 

Mr Takalegn Diribsa

Our Town administration needs your training. Please tell us how we can bring these ideas to our villagers?

“Water technology needs equality in access. Roof water harvesting is not a difficult thing. My latest idea is to establish a self contained village where water, food and energy are produced for their need and sefl-suficient”.

Ms. Asnagech Tafera

Micro Business College’s lecture series needs appreciation. Prof. Tafa Tulu’s lecture should be held all over the country. This is something that our people should learn. 

“I have no hesitation in sharing my knowledge for the welfare of our countrymen”.  

How does water technology contribute to climate change adaptation?

Prof. Tafa Tulu's lecture marking 6th in the Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series on Environment, Development and Society provided some interesting aspects of water conservation that can adapted by the well-informed and lay people alike. PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

The question, how water technology contributes to climate change adaptation, was sufficiently answered by the speaker. With simple practice of rain water harvesting, following can be easily achieved: 

• Diversification of household water supply

• Increased resilience to water quality degradation

• Reducing the pressure on surface and groundwater resources

• Recharge of groundwater aquifers

• Mitigation of flooding by capturing rooftop runoff during rainstorms

• Providing short-term security against periods of low rainfall and the failure or degradation of other water supplies

6th Lecture gifts drops of water wisdom

All about the elixir of life: Prof. Tafa Tulu
delivering World Water Day special
6th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture at
Woliso Campus of Micro Business College on 24, March.
PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P. 

World Water Day special 6th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture on Environment, Development and Society was held successfully at Woliso campus of Micro Business College on 24 March. 

Highlight was the lecture by Ethiopia’s one of the leading experts in water technology, Prof. Tafa Tulu. Titled, ‘Climate change adaptation through appropriate water technology’, his lecture was well received by the audience comprising of Planning Supervisor, South West Shoa Zone, Mr. Takalegn Diribsa, community elders, teachers and students of the campus. 

Prof. Tafa Tulu’s long experience as a guide and teacher of the subject area was vividly displayed throughout the lecture. He began with introducing climate change, reasons behind it and different manifestations of the phenomenon. The gravity of the issue was explicit in the World Health Organization’s statistics the speaker has quoted. Out of 800,000 annual deaths due to climate change, about 150,000 are due to air pollution to which children are the most Susceptible. In addition are its effect on food, animal and plant resources. 

A gifted teacher, Prof. Tafa Tulu presented six major water technologies that can contribute considerably to mitigate the climate change effects. These include: Rainwater harvesting from roofs; Surface water harvesting; Groundwater harvesting; Desalination; Water reclamation and reuse; and Water safety plans (WSPs).

For those who were technically sound enough, Prof. Tafa Tulu’s lecture had enough technical information to quest their thirst. For those novices to the subject, there were numerical values and graphical representations, making things clear.   

 Since our Woliso campus has school classes also, there were enthusiastic young talents, who added life to the event.  His elaborations on the different types of bunds; flood harvesting and rainwater harvesting were eagerly received by the audience, which was proved by an active interaction between the lecturer and the audience. President of the Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun in his opening remarks commented about the integral place of water starting from individual human body to the sustenance of the blue planet. 

Coordinator (Research, Development and Communication) of the college, Mr. Sivakumar K.P. welcomed participants. Vice Director of the college’s Woliso campus, Mr. Yadeta Yedesa proposed vote of thanks. Mr. Abera Tilahun honoured Prof. Tafa Tulu with a Certificate of Honour and a paining depicting two Ethiopian women fetching water from a stream - an appropriate memento for a water expert.

MBC, CSE signs Memorandum of Understanding

Together, for a cause: President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun (L) and Deputy Director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, Mr. Chandra Bhushan sign a Memorandum of Understanding on 17th March. Also seen are Coordinator (Research, Development and Communication)of the college, Mr. Sivakumar K.P.; Programme Manager, CSE, Mr. Nivit Kumar Yadav and Vice Dean of the college, Mr. Megersa Nuresa. PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. 

Another significant feat during the 5th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Micro Business College (MBC) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, India. 

The MoU was signed between the Deputy Director of the CSE, Mr. Chandra Bhushan and the President, Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun. The MoU envisages an understanding for five years regarding research, training and capacity building in aspects related to environment and society.

Both the organizations would make the next step of identifying exact areas of association so as to achieve specific goals. Both Mr. Chandra Bhushan and Mr. Abera Tilahun expressed the optimism that an association between their institutions would provide both the parties extensive learning opportunity. As part of the MoU, Micro Business College would be sending its resource persons for getting due training from the CSE. 

It is also envisaged that the CSE would send its resource team for providing guidance and support for the science and environment related community reach programmes undertaken by the college. Mr. Abera Tilahun expressed hope that the MoU could become a means for the uplift of the country’s rural people.

In search of a version of sustainable development suitable for Ethiopia

Mr. Abera Tilahun, President, Micro Business College  remained a keen listener for Mr. Chandra Bhushan (behind). PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun, in his opening remarks mentioned about the ambiguities persisting with the concept of sustainable development. The sustainable development was defined by its founder, the Brundtland Commission of 1987 as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs. 

Since then scholars used to challenge its precise meaning. Mr. Abera recalled that the founder of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi the late Anil Agarwal was one of the scholars who challenged the ideology, evoking worldwide debate. For example, Anil Agarwal used to question as to whose future generations’ needs would be safeguarded; that of affluent developed countries or that of the deprived developing economies. Mr. Abera expressed his solidarity with the concept of ‘Red-Green Environmentalism’ introduced by Anil Agarwal, for it takes into consideration not merely conservation, but the livelihood and resource needs of the people. 

Mr. Abera said that the concept of development is still intertwined with differing paradigms. For example, the World Development Summit of 1995 underpinned ‘People’s initiative and empowerment’ and ‘strengthening capacities of the people’ in the development process. The World Development Report of 1997 called at States to have central role to economic and social development, not as a direct provider, but as a partner, catalyst and facilitator.  Experts like Amartya Sen and Martha Sussbaum favour the capabilities approach or human development approach. There is the latest Green Economy Paradigm introduced two years back by the United Nations Environment Programme.  

“Our country is now running fast on the tracks of progress and development. Micro Business College community is also playing its humble role as a contributor to the country’s progress. To attain sustainable development in its most appropriate meaning, we need to know which version of the sustainable development is best suited for our country”, he said. He expressed happiness for getting an acclaimed thinker and speaker, Mr. Chandra Bhushan from an esteemed organization like the Centre for Science and Environment that remains enriched of the heritage imbibed from a luminary like Anil Agarwal. 

Honouring the guest

Ethiopian respect: President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun presents a leather portrayal of historic Auxum tower of Ethiopia to Deputy Director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, Mr. Chandra Bhushan, on the conclusion of 5th Wangari Maathai Lecture on 17th March. Programme Manager, CSE, Mr. Nivit Kumar Yadav; Head, Library of the college, Ms. Tarikwa in traditional Oromo outfit; and Coordinator (Research, Development and Communication), Mr. Sivakumar K.P. look on. 

PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Mr. Chandra Bhushan receives Certificate of Honour from Mr. Abera Tilahun.PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE.  

Wangari Maathai Day Special 5th Wangari Maathai Lecture: Audience Profile

Audience gathered for Wangari Maathai Day special 5th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture by Mr. Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi on 17 March at Ambo campus of Micro Business College. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE

5th Wangari Maathi Lecture: Questions and Answers

Making it clear: Mr. Chandra Bhushan (middle) answering to questions raised by audience members during Wangari Maathai Day special 5th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture at Ambo campus of Micro Business College on 17 March. Also seen are President of  the college, Mr. Abera Tilahun (L) and Vice Dean, Mr. Megersa Nuresa.  PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE. 

Wangari Maathai Day special 5th Wangari Maathai Memorial  lecture was followed by an active interaction. Audience asked questions on diverse aspects to the speaker, Mr. Chandra Bhushan who provided convincing replies. The question-answer session could be in brief, sketched as below:

Prof. M.I. Zuberi

Change from large scale manufacturing to small scale production. Is it really possible?

Action is better than futile discussions. 250gm of fossil fuel  and half litre of water are needed for making a water bottle. 2.5kg of wood  and 100 litres of water are  required for producing 1kg of paper. A student getting 20 percent is disqualified; but we accept vehicles that have just 20 percent fuel efficiency. [...]

Dr. Akhila S. Nair

Aspects encompassed in the Gross National Happiness Index of Bhutan?

50-60 indicators are  there in the GNH index. These include certain important  aspects like Health, Food, Education and even Leisure. Also it  prompts the country to attain equality.  In egalitarian societies, there is no place for poverty.  [...]

Ms. Deepsikha Saikia

More service and less product. How is it possible? Happiness, can it be rightly defined?

Service industry is more efficient than the product industry. We need more talk time not phones; shelter, not many houses.  Happiness may be abstract, but we know certain  common reasons all over the world for unhappiness.   Hence our effort should be to  eliminate  reasons of unbapiness. [...]  

Mr. Ananya Tesfaye

Rich countries have a major place in causing global warming. Cant’ they contribute to control it, too?

In unequal societies, some would get more opportunities; and a section of people would always get sidelined. Coming is the Paris Conference. We are hopeful of using that as a  platform for convincing rich countries to help poor coountries.  [...]

Mr. Abisa

Certain countries cause technological pollution; there is also cultural pollution.

After 1980s, there is an export boom. Ethiopia exports teff, but it can cause domestic scarcity. All over Africa, land is given for commercial farming and export. Large scale farming won’t build capacity. Machines won’t give jobs, too. I don’t believe in   technological  or cultural pollution. To me, every culture is good. [...]

Mr. Kanna Woyesa

Greedy countries, governments and individuals. How to briddle this greedy race?

Certain emulative models are available. Scandinavia, for example, imposes 60 percent tax over the wealthy people and pools that for supporting the poor. Man after all, is a greedy species.  I appreciate the idea of socialist capitalist society. Collect from those having too much and give it for those don’t have [...]  

Mr. Behaynu Addisu

Our country is taking certain measures by 2025. We are committed to make use of our resources.

Ethiopia is a country with vast resources, splendorous nature and salubrious climate.

Tragedy of African nations is that the poorest people live in the richest land. Important are capacity building and good governance. Singapore showed it in 50 years. We have the oldest wisdom. Should’nt follow  the US and the Europe [...]

Mr. Melaku Etefa

Is there any legislation to prevent the developing world from contaminating this planet?

Of course, there are international conventions and forums to  rectify and stop mistakes. International court is also set up.  The world still revolves in such a way that the might is always the right.

[...]  

These narratives provide hope

According to Mr. Chandra Bhushan, two major points that we should not ignore are: one, development gains are washed away by climate change; and two, there needs urgent need to contain emissions so that the global temperature rise never beyond 20C. Neither current environmental conservation model has a control over pollution nor the ongoing economic growth model meets the need of all. Hence the urgent necessity for an alterative. The onus is now on the humanity to reinvent an economic-environment model. This would sound as an imbroglio, but solvable through a six-point approach as follows:

Narrative 1: The small country Bhutan has introduced a big idea of Gross National Happiness index to replace the unsuccessful GDP. France has started practicing Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. All such creative ideas comprise of various indicators that promote not growth but welfare; inclusive development, equality and wellbeing of the environment. 

Narrative 2: It’s high time that each and everyone gets equal rights and entitlements in the global atmospheric space, which also builds conditions for limits on consumption and production. 

Narrative 3: Creation of resilient local ecosystems and resources like building a water resilient society thereby promoting community-owned decentralized water management assets; ensuring that every drop of water is harvested, recycled and reused.

Narrative 4: Adopting innovative technologies, for example, efficient public transport system instead of private modes of travel; green cities than energy and resource inefficient cities. 

Narrative 5: This ideology is well told in these words of the speaker: “We need mobility not cars; communication and not mobile phones; cooling and heating and not air conditioners; shelter and not buildings”. In short to emancipate, we need not products, but real services. 

Narrative 6: The idea was made lucid when Mr. Chandra Bhushan explained that high value export-led, mechanised production and consumption get dollars, taxes and few wealthy people; not jobs, equality and sustainability. 

The challenge of inequity

Mr. Chandra Bhushan
giving 5th Wangari Maathai
Memorial Lecture at Micro
Business College, Ambo,
Ethiopia. 

A major note of caution is the inequity that grows unabated. It is a world where a minority of 20 percent consumes a hefty 80 percent of the resources. The alarming fact is that in 2016, for the first time in human history 1 percent will own wealth far more than that of the remaining 99 percent! Disturbing truth is that such inequality anywhere would be akin/ally to bad governance, political instability, violence and conflict.  

And the picture becomes bleaker when we understand that clean cooking fuels are inaccessible for 2 billion people; electricity has not reached over 1.5 billion people; clean water is a dream for over 1 billion; 800 million of the earth’s population are chronically undernourished; diarrhea kills 2 million children each year; and diseases that are well preventable take lives of about 30,000 every day!

5th Lecture disentangles 21st century intricacies about Sustainable Development

Alluring narratives: Mr. Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi offering Wangari Maathai Day special 5th lecture as part of the Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series on Environment, Development and Society at Ambo campus of Micro Business College on 17 March. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE 

When burgeoning human activities started impacting the natural environment, there began the Anthropocene period. According to researches, the starting of this must be somewhere around 1610, a century after the America was found, and Europeans began their colonial creations.  Every coin has got two sides and the Anthropocene era had also got both positive and negative aspects. On one side it started altering the natural settings of environment and its resources. On the other hand, the world started witnessing a prolific exchange of commodities between far distant countries. 

There was a concomitant increase in the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide by 40, 150 and 20 percentages. As green house gases started accumulating,  the earth started warming. It is notable that the carbon emission by way of fossil fuels, cement and flurry are many times more than that due to forestry and land use. 

While examining just 132 years till 2012, we see a considerable 0.850C increase in global temperature. Last three decades were the warmest. Oceans received 26 percent more acidity. During last three decade, our arctic expanse shrunk by 0.73-1.07 million km2 per decade. Incidents of climatic extremities like floods, typhoons, droughts, cloudburst etc are gradually increasing from below 10 during 1900-1909 to over 350 during 2000-2010. 

These are not any fairy tale, but truth that hovers! The 5th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture made by Mr. Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India has exposed this and more that has been happening in our planet due to man’s run for development. His lecture that was appropriately titled, ‘Challenge of the Balance: A 21st Century Narrative on Environment and Development for Developing Countries’, just lived to its luring title. When development becomes inevitable for the developing countries, a major challenge that would emerge is assuring equal prosperity for the natural environment. 

Mr. Bushan’s was an adept presentation laced with lucid explanations, enabling listeners understand that the poor - whether individuals, communities or countries - would be at the losing end in today’s kind of marathon behind development. For example, between 2001 and 2006, low income countries lost about 0.3% of their GDP due to extreme events; whereas the developed nations lost only about 0.1%. 

Besides students and teachers from Micro Business College, there were professors and students, including post graduate students of Environmental Science attending the lecture. Notable was the presence of a number of government officers representing critical sectors related to water resource, energy and environment.

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun gave opening remarks. Mr. Abera Tilahun recollected the immense of contributions made by the founder of the CSE, the late Anil Agarwal, especially in setting productive debates on the idea 'sustainable development' that has later led to scrupulous consideration of the poor and deprived communities into the domains of sustainable development. 

Coordinator (Research, Development and Communication), Mr. Sivakumar K.P. welcomed participants. Vice Dean, Mr. Megersa Nuresa proposed vote of thanks. 

'Let's start now, using resources available now'

Call for action: President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun gives opening remarks during 4th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture  on 10 March. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE  

During his opening remarks, President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun was inviting everyone’s attention to one of his major principles in life,  of doing things now, using resources available now, to make the future brighter. 

In simple terms, his is a bottom-up belief system. The bottom is constituted of ‘time now’ and ‘resources available now’. For those who utilize these two enthusiastically, the goal at the top, how far away it is, would be attainable. “When we act now, using resources available now, then the dreams at the top would gradually come to our hand stretch distance”, Mr. Abera Tilahun elucidated.

He further added that in the women empowerment aspect, too, our instant action was required than procrastination. “Our procrastination would cause losses for our generation as well as for many generations to come. So is it wise of delaying further?” he asked. Mr. Abera commented that all major changes began from individual level, which then transcended family, community and the society. A sweeping emancipation of women should not be then a big task. “Let us change our mindsets and start pursuing for bringing women into the mainstream. Let us begin from our homes. Let us begin from our workplaces. Let us begin from our organizations”, he said.  

He recalled that Wangari Maathaai’s activities were never gigantic. She did small things earning small results. Such small feats later grew into gigantic feats. 

“First, let us begin with uprooting the traditional conservative concepts that keep women at distance from decision making, recreation, socialization, good food and good health. To do this, we need to first change our mindsets then prompt others change”, was his call. 

4th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture: Audience Profile

Audience for the International Women's Day special 4th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture comprised of students and teachers of Micro Business College; doctors, nurses, midwives from government hospital of Ambo; faculty and students from the department of health, Ambo University; and representatives from local government offices. 

Mark of respect

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun presents a wood carving of an Ethiopian lady engaged in traditional coffee ceremony to Mr. Manoj Kumar, Country Director, Plan Ethiopia, who was the speaker for the International Women’s Day special 4th Wangari Maathai Lecture at Ambo campus of the college on 10 March. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE. 

Mr. Manoj Kumar, speaker for the International Women’s Day special 4th Wangari Maathai Lecture receives a certificate of honour from President, Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE. 

They made it their day

Being the special lecture in connection with the International Women’s Day, the occasion of 4th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture was well steered by female staff members of Micro Business College. Clad in catchy Oromo traditional outfits, they shined throughout the event. 

Lecturer, Accounting and Coordinator for Girls’ Association towards Empowerment (GAtE),
Ms. Ayantu Shemalis offering welcome speech. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE 

Secretary, Registrar Office, Ms. Tigest Abebe proposes vote of thanks.PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE

Traditional coffee ceremony by Library Head, Ms. Tarikwa PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE

Sr. Manager Plan Ethiopia, Ms. Aynalem Asheber with Ms. Ayantu Shemalis (R) and Ms. Tigist Ababe. PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

IT   instructor, Ms. Asemanu (centre) joins the scene. PHOTO: SIVAKUMAR K.P.

Enlivening questions, enlightening answers

Mr. Manoj Kumar, Country Director, Plan Ethiopia and his Sr. Manager, Ms. Aynalem Asheber, were spending long time, keenly listening and answering to the audience’s questions during the feedback time.
PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA, MICRO BUSINESS COLLEGE.

Priority given by the society for the issue of maternal and newborn child health was apparent in the long, lively interaction made between listeners and the speaker. The audience comprising of students and teachers of Micro Business College; doctors, nurses, midwives from government hospital of Ambo; faculty and students from the department of health, Ambo University; and representatives from local government offices remained receptive to what a leading organization like the Plan International is contributing for the improvement of the country’s maternal newborn health. 

Mr. Manoj Kumar, Country Director of Plan Ethiopia was duly supported by the Sr. Manager of his organization, Ms. Aynalem Asheber. Both of them provided answers patiently and to the satisfaction of the audience. Audience were encouraged to ask questions. The feedback session was becoming an occasion for everyone to express concern and commitment to the cause of supporting the government’s mission to achieve better status with maternal newborn child health.  Many wished if Plan could reach more regional states.  

Add caption

Following is a brief sketch of the question-answer session:

Rural areas suffer from vehicles without fuel; mobile phones without enough talk time; drivers reluctant to drive during nigth time [...]

The scenario is gradually improving. Maternal mortality has come down from 1000 to 600; Plan Ethiopia is concentrating on awareness generation, skill development and in enhancing efficiency of the Health Development Army [...].

Mr. Ketema Kenasa

West of our country witness mothers dying due to delay in care; Plan Ethiopia’s interventions should reach distant regions like Gambella, Afar [...]

A baseline survey with the help of MoH and local bureaus decided areas for the Plan.  Our interventions could bring in progress in education in Gambella.  The country is vast  for Plan to reach everywhere at a time. But we expect to expand [...]. 

It’s good that you teach adolescent girls; why not boys, too?

Ms. Deepsikha Saikia

Plan Ethiopia focus on   sensitizing husbands of pregnant women, also. The question is good. We have to focus on boys, too. We  make adolescent girls  aware that  when they become pregnant, better not to hide it. However this question has inspired us to include boys also in future [...]

Dr. Firomsa Kissi

Desirable reporductive health is still away from rural adolescent girls. What’s Plan’s view on safe abortion? Demand-suppy is nowhere along rural areas.

Our focus is not safe abortion, but mother and newborn health. We use to group adolescent girls in sectors and help them in different ways. To improve demand-supply, in our areas, we use to provide free equipments and medicines [...]

Does Plan have a national plan? 

Dr. Nebiyu Abera

Plan Ethiopia never has a national plan evolving from it. Our plans are supportive to the country’s plan. In other words, we are part of the country’s move in these areas. We use to inspire people to take up bigger action. Whenever tasks become beyond our capacities, we pool support from other organizations, too [...]

Dr. O.G. Sajitha

High dropout of girls; Harmful traditional practices like genital mutilation; Pregnency outside marital system etc. need urgent attention. Can there be incentives for those who bring ladies for treatment? 

Plan International has an admirable framework on Early Childhood Care and Development. Our global campaign for girl children is remarkable. We had in Sudan, successful BEST programme to battle droupout. We sensitize people in the north against early marriage and south against FGM. Cash incentive is currently not in our consideration. In fact during WATCH, the idea of cash incentive was denied by authorities.  [...]

Mr. Segni Nihali

Our rate of maternal newborn child death is higher. What exactly is the Plan’s plan to improve this situaiton? 

Any plan/strategy should be in tune to the global wisdom. Always governments are supposed to bear more responsibility. We would be definitely supportive to all government initiatives.  [...]