Building Narchecha

This is a report I wrote for our project director who suggested I interview the Principal and community members of Narchecha Primary School. Two months ago the JDC Young Professional trip spent two days helping construct a new set of classrooms. 

Two hours past Gondar’s city center, on unpaved, rocky roads through rural Ethiopia, you come upon a small school called Narchecha.

I met with the Principal of the Narchecha School. He greeted me with a huge smile and took my hand in both of his and didn’t let go for a while. He led me past the older school buildings and finally up to the newly constructed classrooms. His eyes lit up when he spoke about the JDC group of young professionals who spent two days assisting in the construction. He told me that people in the village came to see what all the commotion was and when they realized it was foreigners taking on the role of construction workers, they were stunned. The villagers were honored to have had the time and attention of people who they recognize traveled very far to help their small town. The principal explained that JDC’s presence re-instilled a sense of community service and volunteerism. Since the JDC Young Professional’s arrival, 112 community members have come to participate and lend a hand in completing the construction of the school, without pay. “We, living here, we take even more care of this building” the Principal continued, “They taught us something, they teach us about working together”.

A new school building is something wonderful in itself. Being recognized by the international community as a village that has potential and deserves a new schoolhouse is a huge honor. It helps reinforce the importance of education and is a loud international cheer to support them in their struggle for a better future.

There will be upwards of 100 new students enrolling in Narchecha this upcoming school year. We created somewhat of a local celebrity in school buildings and everyone wants to sign up where the Westerners helped put brick to mortar. The villagers want to be part of the foundation we have created with our bare hands. They want a closer connection to the white people who spent two days of their vacation in a small village, rarely seen by the outside world and worked with their bare hands to build something that will stay with these people for a lifetime. Narchecha now knows the name of JDC, The Principal said, “We will always know. They are always welcome here”. The Principal extended an invitation from the community to join them for a big coffee ceremony to thank the young professionals for their hard work and immeasurable impact. We respectfully declined and asked that he continue to mobilize children to attend class and share the importance of education with others; that will be our reward.

Long after the paint dries, the story of the ferenjis from JDC who worked on this village school will continue and the education it provides for Narchecha students will live on for many lifetimes. 

The Principal of Narchecha