Background
The Gondar Development and Cooperation Organization (GDCO) is a non-political, non-profit making, U.S. based non-governmental organization
One of the 17th Century Palaces in Gondar
Its capital city, Gondar, was once the capital city of Ethiopia, founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasiladas. It became a center for culture, high level ecclesiastical learning, trade and commerce with trade links with the Middle East, India and Europe. The city boasts palaces, castles, churches and a library, all of which date back to the 17th century. But today things are different. The region's ecosystem is destabilized and its once-abundant flora and fauna mercilessly destroyed; rich and fertile lands as well as mountain terrain have become eroded and infertile, with perilous economic ramifications.
Vision
Prosperity and an improved standard of living for the residents of the Gondar region.Mission Statement
Strategic Objectives
- To encourage and facilitate the establishment of GDCO chapters wherever groups of Gondaris reside.
- To initiate, encourage, promote, and support local community development initiatives in the Gondar Region.
- To play an advocacy role in the fight to preserve and promote Gondar's cultural heritage.
- To use members' resources, as well as those of other interested and concerned parties and organizations, to fund rehabilitation and development programs in the Gondar Region.
- To develop close working relationships with Gondar Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Association (GRRDA) offices in Addis Ababa and Gondar as well as befriend and co-operate with other development-oriented organizations in Ethiopia and elsewhere.
Immediate Tasks
- Continue and expand the Educational/scholarship program
- Continue to raise money to fund the construction of a new Teaching and Referral Hospital at the Medical School of the University of Gondar.
- Strengthen tertiary learning institutions (universities, colleges, etc.) in the Gondar Region through secondment programs (i.e. through deployment of academicians/scholars, donations of textbooks, computers, etc.).
What Has Been Done So Far?
- Many Gondaris have been brought together under an umbrella organization dedicated to unity and solidarity.
- The Scholarship Program was initiated in 1996 to encourage outstanding students among 11th and 12th graders who lacked the resources to continue their education. The program began its first year by assisting 76 students from 20 different high schools. Then, the next year (1997) the number of students receiving help was raised to 105, a level which held steady until 2003. During this time, the financial support provided to GDCO scholarship winners remained a mere Birr 60(US$ 7) per month. But in 2004 the program was transformed both in scale and quality. The number of recipients was increased to 150 and the financial support raised to Birr 75 (US$ 9) per month, for ten months every year. As this program is appreciated at the receiving end as well as by donors here in the USA, it is likely to continue and expand
- As an initial deposit, GDCO has transferred US$85,000 (751,000.00 Birr) to The Gondar Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Association 's bank account in Gondar city to help pay for the Hospital project. Along with a remittance of US$ 24,000 (Can. $ 30,000 ), sent by The Gondar Community Development & Relief Society of Toronto, Canada, the total balance is US$ 109,000. Furthermore, a group of GDCO members from Washington DC and Canada traveled to Gondar to witness and participate in the ceremonial placing of the cornerstone of the future Teaching and Referral Hospital.
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Few of the 2004/5 GDCO Scholarship winners at Fasiladas Prep School |
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Artist's rendition of the Gondar Teaching/Referral Hospital Project |
The plan is that the hospital will have seven stories with a total floor area of 21,900 square meters, which will be enough space for 450-500 beds, as well for all the facilities needed in a fully-operational teaching institution. The final price tag for construction is estimated to be US$ 11,826,106.80(109,724,518.75 Birr). The University College of Gondar has assured all concerned that it will cover operational costs and the costs of equipment.
Organization and Management
GDCO had revised its organizational structure a number of times since its inception to solve problems; the major ones being in 1999 and 2005. The much anticipated meeting of GDCO's 3rd Congress (General Meeting) was held in Silver Spring, Maryland, on January 8, 2005. Among other things, it endorsed a well-thought and updated version of the bylaws of GDCO. Chapter 5 article 4 of the bylaws articulated in clear terms the main functional bodies of the organization.
General Assembly (GA)
The supreme authority of the organization is made up of two duly elected representatives from each member organization of GDCO. The authority's main duties and responsibilities include laying down general policy and directives, and electing the board of directors and members of the Audit Committee. Current member organizations of GDCO are located in Washington DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Columbus, Dallas, San Jose, Seattle, Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, and Toronto. New members are welcome to join if they qualify and abide by the Organization's bylaws.
Management Board (Board of Directors)
There are two types of membership to the board. Fifty per cent will be representatives from each member organization, and the other fifty percent will be nominated by the GA on the basis of their professional merit and their commitment to the fulfillment of GDCO's objectives. The Board oversees the performance of the Executive Committee, strengthens the membership of GDCO, and lobbies governmental and non-governmental institutions both in Ethiopia and else where for support and resources.
| Current Board of Directors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Mulatu Wubneh | Chairman | N. Carolina |
| Mr. Wondayehu Kassa | Executive Director | Washington, DC |
| Mr. Yohannes Mersha | Deputy Executive Director | Los Angeles, CA |
| Mr. Eyasu Damtew | Secretary | Washington, DC |
| Treasurer | Washington, DC | |
| Mr. Aderajew Hailu | Accountant | Washington, DC |
| Mr. Solomon Getaneh | Member | Columbus, OH |
| Mr. Awoke Tegegne | Member | San Jose, CA |
| Dr. Ambachew Woreta | Member | Baltimore, MD |
| Prof. Leul Belay | Member | Terry, MS |
| Dr. Fisseha Abebe | Member | Atlanta, GA |
| Dr. Aklog Birara | Member | Ashton, MD |
| Prof. Alemante G. Selassie | Member | Williamsburg, VA |
| Mr. Tilahun Gelaw | Member | Philadelphia, PA |
| Mr. Teferi Andualem | Member | Denver, CO |
| Mr. Mulat Melesse | Member | Las Vegas, NV |
| Mr. Wassie Kebede | Member | Seattle, WA |
| Mr. Mesganaw Abebe | Member | Atlanta, GA |
| Mr. Abebaw Nega | Member | Dallas, TX |
| Lisane Gondar Editorial Committee | ||
| Dr. Mulatu Wobneh | Editor-in-Chief | N. Carolina |
| Dr. Alemante G.Selassie | Editor | Virginia |
| Dr. Adugnaw Worku | Editor | California |
| Education (Scholarship) Committee | ||
| Dr. Genet Desta | Chairperson | Virginia |
| Prof. Leul Belay | Member | Mississippi |
| Mr. Temesgen Tesfayohannes | Member | California |
| Audit Committee | ||
| Mr. Mehari Belay | Chief Auditor | Maryland |
Executive Committee (EC)
The Executive Committee forms the Secretariat of the Organization (GDCO). Its duties and responsibilities include handling day-to-day activities of the GDCO, applying important policies and directives issued by the GA and the Board, and generating policy ideas and preparing projects and programs aimed at the fulfillment of GDCO's vision admission statements. The current members of the Executive Committee are:
| Mr. Wondayehu Kassa | Executive Director |
| Mr. Yohannes Mersha | Deputy Executive Director |
| Mr. Eyasu Damtew | Secretary |
| Treasurer | |
| Mr. Aderajew Hailu | Accountant |
