Hello,
My name is Dejene Ahmed and I am proud to say that I am a former student of the great Emperor Fasil School. Recently I had the privilege and the opportunity to visit the school in July 2003 while I was visiting family.

I was invited to the school by the PTO (Parents and Teachers Organization) in Azezo. The PTO had informed me, beforehand, the purpose of my invitation to the school on the letter I received. The agenda was to talk about raising fund for the new project the PTO have started, which is building new class rooms.

During the tour, I took video pictures of the compound and the class rooms where our brothers and sisters GO TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY. I do not have enough words to express the condition of the school except to say it is ALL BAD - every thing I saw was broken and damaged: windows, doors, walls, benches, desks and black boards. The whole environment is uninviting for learning and growing.

The message I brought to all of us from Emperor Fasil PTO is to help them build new classrooms. With out every ones help, the project is too big for the residents of Azezo. Most people have very small income to contribute.

Dear children of AZEZO, those, who grew up and went to school in AZEZO, this call is for all of us. It is time to give back to the community that gave us much. During our school time, we had teachers and parents who cared and provided for us to go to school. What a privilege we had! Many of our parents were illiterate but they new the importance of education and made it possible for all of us to go to school; and the difference they made in each of us is priceless. But today many of our young brothers and sisters are in danger of losing this hope.

Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to invite you TODAY, as you read this letter, to start giving back by calling those around you and discuss about this situation and find ways and means to contribute. For those of you who would like to see the video, I am more than happy to send it to you. All I need from you is to contact me via e-mail or write me a letter using the following address and let me know where to send it. I have also prepared a CD that you can play on your computer using Basic RealPlayer or Windows Media Player. These Files are too big to attach to e-mail.

The Emperor Fasil School PTO members would like to extend their appreciation to Mrs. Jean Bailey, Mr. Yesuf Abuboker, and to our brothers and sisters who live in the State of California and Colorado for the contribution they made in the past. The PTO also would like to thank anyone who is willing to stand with them for this great cause.

For questions, opinions and to ask for a CD and videotape please use the following address.

Sincerely yours,
Dejene Ahmed