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CRDA –Packard Program Grants over 35,000 Educational Books to Youth Initiatives in SNNPR |
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The Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA) –Packard Foundation Joint Program donated 35,000
educational books valued at nearly 2 million Birr to youth centers and school clubs found in five zones of
the South National, Nationalities and Peoples Region ( SNNPR).
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The donation of the books took place at a handing-over ceremony organized at the Resource Center of CRDA,
located at Kaliti sub district, on December 3, 2009.
The latest editions of the books collections are in various areas of disciplines which include health,
family planning, reproductive health, medicine, science and technology, environment, among others.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, CRDA Executive Director, Dr. Meshesha Shewarega noted that the
reference books would empower the youths and particularly girls and women to have informed knowledge on
family planning and sexually reproductive health, and thereby enhancing their life choice decisions.
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“Apart from capacitating the youth centers and school clubs, the books collection would complement the
regional government’s endeavors towards expanding reproductive health education deliveries, rural
development, youth support packages, ” he said.
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According to Dr. Meshesha , CRDA -Packard Program exerted unrelenting efforts to secure the grants for free
from Books for Africa, a charity organization based in the United States of America.
The Executive Director, however said, while the Ethiopian Government has issued tax exempted importation of
the books, Packard Foundation spent over 15,000 USD for the transportation cost and CRDA incurred 100,000
Birr for facilitating related activities.
The South Ethiopia Peoples Development Association ( SEPDA) and regional education bureaus have also played
a lobbying role for the tax-free importation of the grants.
Dr. Meshesa has also underscored the need to keep the books in good shape and to serve their intended
purposes.
Packard Foundation Representative, W/ro Yemisirach Belayneh said on her part that the youths need to have
empowered with adequate knowledge and information on family planning and reproductive health if they are to
play a proactive role in the development discourse in the region.
She said Packard Foundation has been engaged in integrated family planning and reproductive health, and
other programs that would augment women and girls overall participation and empowerment in the country
in conjunction with local implementing partners for the last several years.
The representative has lauded, Books for Africa, for showing keen interests in collecting and donating the
books. She also appreciated the Ethiopian government for allowing the importation of the books tax-free.
While receiving the donation, representative of SNNPR’s Education Bureau, Ato Alemayehu Tesfaye said that
the books are highly valuable and would help bridge the desperately needed information gaps particularly in
the areas of family planning and reproductive health in the region.
Ato Alemayehu said that his Bureau would continue extending supports for the smooth implementation of
CRDA-Packard joint program in the region and assured that the donation would reach the target groups as soon
as possible.
Management team members of CRDA-Packard Program, partners, representatives of youth centers and school clubs
from five zones of SNNPR and other invited guests were in attendance at the handing over ceremony.
The CRDA –Packard Foundation Program has successfully been implemented in four regional states during the
years 2003-2008. And the Program is now extended till 2001.
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