The expansion project of the Mekanissa school complex, a vulnerable neighborhood on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, was launched in 2013 with the goal of strengthening the educational offer for at-risk children and adolescents. Managed by the Salesian Fathers, the intervention led to the construction of a new three-story building, including modern classrooms, administrative offices, a library, cafeteria, and laboratories, as well as a space dedicated to the oratory and social activities for vulnerable youth. Completed in 2015, the project ensured the continuity of school activities and prevented the structure from closing due to lack of adequate space. In an urban context marked by poverty and precariousness, the school has become a stable reference point for over 100 direct beneficiaries and approximately 600 indirect beneficiaries.
In the two-year period 2022–2023, a further intervention was carried out aimed at promoting digital literacy. 60 new computers were purchased, replacing obsolete and inadequate equipment, thus ensuring training standards appropriate to today's needs. Thanks to this investment, about 900 students from 9th–12th grades were able to access a modern computer lab, useful for preparing for university education and the world of work. In a country where less than 20% of public school students have regular access to a computer (Ethiopian Education Development Roadmap), our contribution to Mekanissa represents a concrete step towards a more inclusive, technologically updated, and future-oriented education. The impact of the intervention directly involved 900 students and reached approximately 3,500 indirect beneficiaries, including families, teachers, and the local community.
School infrastructures are the heart of our interventions in Africa: without safe classrooms, adequate spaces, and modern tools, learning remains a privilege for a few. For this reason, we build and renovate schools, create laboratories and educational spaces that allow children and young people to grow up in dignified environments. Every new classroom is not just a building, but a seed of hope and future for entire communities.
Direct: 460
Indirect: 2760
Mekanissa is a vulnerable neighborhood in the southwest suburbs of Addis Ababa, characterized by modest housing and families coming mainly from rural areas. The community is distinguished by its cultural vitality and strong religious affiliation, with the presence of educational centers and social activities promoted by the Salesians. However, the poverty rate remains very high and limits young people's access to quality educational pathways. National data shows that over 20% of urban students drop out of school before completing secondary school, and Mekanissa is no exception. In such a context, the lack of adequate structures aggravates the vulnerability of adolescents, increasing the risk of social exclusion.
With the goal of supporting basic education and vocational training, the Foundation invests in infrastructure and initiatives addressing educational challenges such as the empowerment of girls and women.
Each project is developed in collaboration with local communities and aims to promote education, personal growth, and sustainable development.
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The Nuovo Fiore in Africa Foundation is recognized as a public utility organization, registered with the Federal Supervisory Authority, and all donations made are tax-deductible.
