The Emergence of GTF on Karayu Land

GTF's first encounter with the Karayu pastoralists took place in November 1994 as GTF was assessing various areas to identify the most suitable place where its noble vision could be translated into action. Going to an unknown area to work with an unknown people seems like a response to a divine call. "We had no clue about the Karayu or their land prior to our arrival..." said one of GTF's leaders. A Karayu elder's response to this remarkable encounter was, "...how do a bird in the sky and a fish in the water meet? Certainly not by coincidence. Nor is our meeting [that of the GTF and the Karayu] a coincidence. It is Waaqaa's [God's] plan."

Little did the leaders of GTF know that sixteen years prior to their arrival on Karayu land, the Reverend Gudina Tumsa himself stood on Karayu Plaines; he revealed to a colleague he took along his aspirations to build a school and a clinic and to share the good news of the gospel with Karayu herdsmen. The colleague and Gudina Tumsa resolved to design strategies that would enable them accomplish this goal and returned back to Addis. Shortly after their return from Karayu land, before their plans could be materialized, the Military Government of Ethiopia arrested both men. Gudina was assassinated, but the colleague was set free after eleven years of confinement. As Moses stood on Mount Nebo and viewed Canaan but never entered it, Gudina saw a transformed Karayu land from afar, in a vision, but did not live long enough to see his dreams fulfilled.

A decade and a half later, two of Gudina Tumsa's daughters and Karayu elders met under the one and only tree shade at the foot of the Fantalle Mountain; Karayu men, disenchanted by unfulfilled promises, hesitantly accepted GTF's offer to launch development work on Karayu land. In the process of problem identification the Karayu pinned down lack of education as the root cause of their impoverishment. Erecting a school building in a place called Dhebiti (a place of thirst) seemed awkward to the viewer but to the Karayu it was "saaqaa dukkanaa" (a sparkle in the dark). Karayu children for the first time in history began attending a modern school. Herding of sheep and goats gave way to Math, English and Science lessons.

AKGC, a local construction company, helped transport thousands of draught resistant tree seedlings from a distant place called Gambella which were planted around the school, despite discouraging remarks from "connoisseurs" who insisted that the land was unproductive and that the high fluoride content in the water dried up plants. Volunteer teachers from the University were recruited in order to ensure the quality of education being offered. Adult education and skills training were launched during the rainy season. The school began flourishing, and all these without any external support. During the first two years GTF thrived on local resources--some enlightened Karayu herdsmen donated camels and oxen for the school while GTF' leaders worked on soliciting funds from local business enterprises, and mobilizing voluntary human resources. A young couple, about to get married, announced their decision to donate the funds originally allocated for their wedding celebration to construct a school building for Karayu children. Encouraged by the couple's bold and generous step an elderly couple donated the service of their dump-truck to transport building materials. Revenues generated from the sales of books authored by Professor Claude Sumner and published by GTF helped sustain the project.

GTF's success in its efforts of gleaning funds from local sources captured the hearts of some external supporters. Bread for the World of Germany became the first overseas partner in supporting GTF's pioneering efforts among the Karayu of Fantalle. The combined and complementary efforts of both organizations led to the establishment of the Fantalle Integrated Rural Development Program (FIRDP). New project components, such as Water Development, Afforestation, Promotion of Karayu Women, Extension of Education Centre, Participatory Research, Grain Store and Grinding Mill Services were added. Shortly after the launching of the Program Christian Aid of UK joined in. Though on a smaller scale, CA's involvement in the FIRDP added another dimension--the once desolated Karayu land was now attracting visitors from overseas. Three BBC crews filmed the area at different times. The last one was aired on BBC channel 2 on 25 February, 2000.

Through the FIRDP new boreholes were dug, water supply structures were built and the only borehole that had served the Karayu and their cattle for the past seventeen years was rehabilitated. The sever shortage of water in the area had always served as a source of conflict between the Karayu and their neighbouring peoples. The denial of access to the surface water resources in the area has been exacerbating the already existing conflicts. Karayu elders still remember how life was more bearable prior to the establishment of the Sugar Estate and the Awash National Park, nearly four decades ago.

Growing trees in an area like Fantalle, due to the great number of animals the pastoralists own, is extremely difficult. However, GTF's unswerving effort has changed the face of Karayu territory. As a result of the afforestation project, green patches are seen here and there when travelling through Karayu villages. However, the oasis-like view of GTF's project site is a proof of how faith, determination and hard work can transform an area. GTF is currently working on developing a more appropriate approach in tackling the ever-growing problem of deforestation and depletion of natural resources in the area.

Through the integrated program the school has been extended to a junior high school--the first batch of Karayu children who joined the school in October of 1995 are now in 7th grade. The school has repeatedly won recognition from the district and zone education bureaux. Committed instructors who relentlessly teach the whole day, despite the harsh climate, and diligent students who harbour a strong desire for education and change contribute to the success. In response to the students eagerness to teach their own community GTF organized mobile literacy programs, which enable the students during the rainy season to move around their respective villages and to teach adults. During the past two rainy seasons one hundred fifty Karayu men and women were trained in literacy and arithmetic lessons. Moreover, school children stage plays from time to time to raise the awareness of their community on current issues.

Attracted by changes taking place around the school, Karayus, who live in a distant place, came together to construct a shelter that will serve them as a classroom and approached GTF with the request to provide them with instructors and textbooks. GTF, in collaboration with the district's Education Bureau, has fulfilled their request.

There are no records of any development work done in the Karayu area prior to GTF's arrival, thus leaving GTF with no experiences to draw from. Nevertheless, GTF's deep commitment to make a difference in the lives of the Karayu people and the determination of the Karayu themselves to be transformed is paving the way to more and more development activities. A livestock improvement project, which includes veterinary services, breeding of dairy cows and animal fattening activities is showing tremendous results. Having a veterinary clinic nearby saves the herdsmen money as well as animal lives, and the fattening project allows them to fetch more income from animals which, otherwise, would have been sold for lower prices.

Karayu women involved in GTF's women's program feel empowered enough to run their own and only store in the Karayu area. Prior to the establishment of the project the women had no contact with outsiders, but now they feel assertive enough to express their feelings and aspirations.

Six years of presence in an area, in the eyes of spectators, may seem long enough to bring about a sustainable change; but in a place where everything has to begin from scratch and where the life style of the people is so different from the dominant culture--six years of hard work and concerted efforts are only the beginning. Producing educated Karayu young men and women who can plan the education of their people and who can device strategies to improve the lives of their communities, will take a few more years, and above all continued commitment from the community, GTF, partners and government counterparts.

Reflecting back on the past years, though far from fulfilling the vision, GTF and the Karayu have come a long way--visible changes have taken place on both sides.

Relief 2000

Over 14,000 Karayu pastoralists received relief food during the draught period between June and October 2000. Christian Aid of UK funded the project while GTF, in collaboration with the district’s bureaux, distributed relief items. The process of drilling three boreholes, as part of the plan to bring lasting solution to the water problem in the area, is underway.

	Adult Literacy
Bio-gas