Background
The
Gondar Development and Cooperation Organization (GDCO) is a
non-political, non-profit making, U.S. based non-governmental
organization
Fasiledes's 17th
century swimming pool in Gondar
founded and
incorporated in Washington, DC, in 1992 by Ethiopians living in the
diaspora with the aim of improving the socio-economic situation of the
people of Ethiopia. Aware of the enormous size of the country and its
population, the Organization decided to focus on the development of the
Gondar region and its surroundings, hence the name GDCO. Gondar region,
formerly known as Begemidir and Semien province, is located in
northwest of Ethiopia with a population of over 5 million.
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 features numerous 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. Such
dire situations calls for an urgent and concerted effort in sustained
development by all concerned
Vision
Prosperity
and an improved standard of living for the residents of the Gondar
region.
Mission
Statement
Create
harmonious relationships among Gondares, so that they may pool their
resources and respective areas of expertise towards meaningful relief,
rehabilitation and development projects in the Gondar region.
- To encourage and facilitate the
establishment of GDCO member organizations (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
GDCO Scholarship
winners at Fasiladas Prep School, Gondar
Artist's rendition
of the Gondar Teaching/Referral Hospital Project
