After nine years of successfully keeping girls in school, we were continually approached by village leaders who told us that boys were also in deep need of support to stay in school. The current civil situation has resulted in farms being burned and the usual work available to boys being limited. Thus, boys were also in dire need of assistance. We began our first pilot project keeping boys in school in the school year 2022-23 with 59 high school boys in Muki Turi. Although the pilot project was successful, boys are more tempted than girls to drop out and start their lives as soldiers with promises for a position for a better future.
The boys who have decided to stay in school are unusually motivated and focused. Education for boys also prepares the future generation for partnership. The boys we help live in rural Ethiopian villages and are in the most need of assistance. Many of them are orphaned or disabled.
There were boys that graduated from the keeping boys in school pilot project who have gone on to high school graduation and even university.
In the Trampled Rose program, each boy is given his own bank account and provided funds every month. This number changes annually according to exchange rate and inflation. With this money, he is empowered to make the best financial choices for himself to stay in school. These choices can include purchasing textbooks, uniforms, school supplies, food, or shelter. Some of the boys even choose to use a portion of the money to help their siblings stay in school. We believe that allowing the boys to make these decisions themselves prepares them for a life of dignity in choice.
Many Trampled Rose girls live more than one and one half hour walk from school. Some of the girls in our program walk more than nine hours one way to reach school.
Uniforms are mandatory in order for the girls to be able to attend government schools. Often this is the only piece of clothing the girl owns.
Before our help, we have seen as many as three girls sharing one pen. They would attempt to quickly take notes while the teacher was lecturing and then pass the pen to the other girls.
This is one of the most important needs in Trampled Rose. Many girls would miss up to one week per month of school due to their menstrual cycles. Having access to menstrual supplies allows the girls a chance to be in the classroom the entire month.
Some of the girls were only able to only eat once every two days. This made concentration hard and much of their energy was focused on how to get their next meal. Trampled Rose girls have drastically improved their classroom grades now that they are able to purchase food for themselves and focus their efforts on school.
One top student was almost unable to complete her last year of school because of Hepatitis. The $25 she received from Trampled Rose each month saved her life by helping her pay for the care she needed. We have almost 400 girls in school this year!