Common River is a catalyst for community change. We expect active participation and in-kind contributions from the community. For every one step into the community, we take two steps back, so that the community takes responsibility for their program, becomes more self-reliant, and empowered by their own development process.
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April 2010: WILL SCOTT AWARD 2009
Will Scott is an organic farmer, horticulture student, and bike enthusiast. His expertise is in practice and promotion of healthy sustainable living and community improvement. He has abundant appreciation and enthusiasm for life and community well-being.
Will Scott volunteered for Common River for two months, October through November 2008. He had never been to Africa, but had always wanted to go there and farm. He did just that, cultivating a large demonstration garden and engaging the community and Common River students in the process. He also taught the children and community about healthy habits, the importance of biodiversity, and good farming practices. The entire community loves Will and awaits his return someday. They continue to enjoy the fruits of his labor by eating the vegetables he planted.
Upon return to the US he helped organize the "Salaam Triathalon" in August 2009 and raised $5,000 for Common River. Now working at Fresh Run Farm, he has provided the Common River with large varieties of seeds for planting in Aleta Wondo.
Common River has created the WILL SCOTT AWARD for volunteers who live up to his exemplary contribution as a volunteer. He is the first recipient of this award and we are honored to name it after him. It is presented annually to the next recipient. This year we are proud to announce the 2nd recipient of the award:
Samantha Novick
Sammy, a 10th grader at Marin Catholic, followed the large steps of Will, providing service to Common River, in July 2009.
Sammy volunteered for three weeks in Aleta Wondo. Her plan was to teach soccer, which she accomplished with finesse and professionalism.
Prior to her service, she spent months preparing, conducting numerous soccer drives throughout Marin County.
She collected hundreds of used soccer cleats, jerseys, gloves and shorts, mainly through the Mill Valley Soccer Club.
She packed the goods into large duffle bags, bringing in over 500 pounds of luggage, filled with at least 80 pairs of cleats, 28 pairs of shin guards, 110 plus soccer balls, and a ton of uniforms.
While in Aleta Wondo, she organized a soccer camp for over 250 children daily, conducting drills and soccer games, bringing her years of athletic training to the children. Sammy has trained hard in soccer since she was in Kindergarten, and she has developed into an incredible athlete. She displayed immense enthusiasm and talent in training others. Having talent is always a gift, but having the ability to share that talent is an added gift. Sammy possesses that gift. She was readily accepted as a "favorite coach," since she was so friendly and encouraging to all age groups from 5 to 15 years old.
Sammy represented America as one of our best ambassadors. We are grateful to Sammy's dedication and compassion. She is incredibly generous, giving away her personal possessions readily. Not only is she generous with materials, she has a generosity of spirit She plans to come every summer, as she enjoyed helping those in need and less fortunate than herself. Sammy's smile is something that shone constantly and one of the reasons that the community anxiously awaits her return. It is part of Sammy's nature to be in service to others. We can foresee her truly making the world a better place in her lifetime, as she is a natural giver and very compassionate soul.
April-May 2009: University of Texas Medical Students: Drs. Warren and Gretchen Berggren supervise 4th year medical students, and Dr. Richard Usatine supervises 10 1st year students. Website.
April 6 to May 3: Tsegaye in Ethiopia
§ Easter AW celebration for CR children and families
§ Bread-breaking with children
§ Cultural shows and performances (songs and dances)
§ Planted 1200 indigenous coffee trees, and 500 local enset trees
§ Facilitated the construction of 3 additional classrooms
§ 15 families provided with electricity: "We used to read with a candle
and we couldn't see much. Now we are so happy to have light!"
§ Hired a Program Manager, Melkam Terefa, a recent graduate of Awassa Univ.
Her major is nutrition.
§ Mesfin Mulugeta (Big Negusse) was promoted to become the official
Common River Program Coordinator
§ Met with AW community groups: mothers of under-five children
§ Completed the possession of Bekele Hotel for future cultural center and senior center.
§ Facilitated permits for the Ministry of Health
§ Registered Bekele's Blessings Center of Learning
ViewWebalbum of new school construction and Easter celebration
February 2009: Peace Corps Volunteer Kyle Bajtelsmit arrives in Aleta Wondo!
Viewwebablum
3/11/09 Keola Returns to Ethiopia
§ Completed the installation of the bridge.
§ Re-wired electrical plugs and outlets
§ Built latrines and showers
§ Erosion control: built proper terracing
§ Taught English, learned Sidama and Amharic
§ Re-enforced front gate to compound
§ Re-enforced all the windows and doors
§ Began construction of 3 new classrooms
May 2008: Dr. Ruth Berggren, Director of the Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics at the University of Texas and 3 medical students came to start an internship program between Common River and Univ. of Texas.
October 2008: Wendy Brooks, Founding Director of Telluride Academy,conducted a visit to explore the feasibility of bringing eight 12-16 year old students to Wondo Genet to create a drama with their Ethiopian peers this Spring. Wendy taught 3 classes at the school in drama, math and English.
July - August 2008 and March - May 2009: Keola James, a volunteer contractor spent 2 months working on water and sanitation. He is a "Jack of all Trades, Master of All", in building construction, infrastructure and community organization.
October-November 2008: Will Scott: Will Scott is an organic farmer, horticulture student, and bike enthusiast. His expertise is in practice and promotion of healthy sustainable living and community improvement. He has abundant appreciation and enthusiasm for life and community wellbeing. In Aleta Wondo, he has taught the children and community about healthy habits, the importance of biodiversity, and good farming practices. He has also helped build the demonstration garden with much help from the community and Common River students. He spent 2 months on the ground and plans to come back for a longer period of time in 2009. Common River has created the WILL SCOTT AWARD for volunteers who live up to his exemplary contribution as a volunteer. He is the first recipient of this award and we are honored to name it after him. He will present it annually to the next recipient.
