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.
© 2006-2010 Common River
Design byGreen
Temple Design
Progress
Wondo Genet
April 2009
Mudd Butts in Wondo Genet (CR staff and Tsegaye behind scenes)
§ Arranged the troupe: transport, accommodation, food, etc
§ Worked to obtain permits and venue
§ Worked with community leaders and parents
§ Successful model for "peer-to-peer" connection
§ Facilitators: Wendy Brooks, Sally Davis, Kim Epifano Mike Stasiuk,
Jeremy Baron and Luke Brown
§ 16 students from US worked with 16 Ethiopian student peers
§ Drama, English and Photography classes
§ Performed "Fire on the Mountain."
MUDD BUTTS INTERNATIONAL, Telluride Academy, Telluride, Colorado Common River and the community of Wondo Genet have collaborated to bring their dream of building a high school to a community that never had one. The Telluride Academy of Colorado has agreed to support this effort through participating with students in the community to produce a drama production with visiting American students. The aim is to gain experience of working together and to create a bridge between the two groups so that can learn from each other through the creative process. Common River is working closely with the local school committee, and is working towards having the high school completed and supplied with current learning and teaching materials. We are in the process of getting the supplies we have collected shipped from the United States. The drama troupe consisting of 16 students (between 12-16 years old) and 7 creative professionals who visited Wondo Genet, from April 3-19, 2009. They worked on the drama (an Ethiopian play, called Fire on the Mountain) and performed it together with local artists for the local community. The story focused on environmental protection messages to save the forest surrounding Wondo Genet. We want to take this opportunity to thanks parents, teachers and children who helped us to fix and paint 4 classrooms of the elementary school to prepare for this year's opening day. Common River has contributed money for desks and chairs that are in a dire short supply. We will continue to do so until all children have a safe and healthy place to learn and grow in their own town. We hope that the relationships built through this cultural exchange will bring about lasting change in both communities. We are thankful for the Wondo Genet community, especially the school committee for their full participation and support.
View Slideshow MUDD BUTTS: Drama troupe from US
Summer 2008
1. Met with Community High School Committee
2. Cleaned and painted six classrooms of the local primary school
3. Repaired and painted 100 desks and benches (need 500 more)
Wondo Genet
The high school in Wondo Genet is a community-initiated project that has the full support of the community, through their in-kind labor and material contributions. Common River seeks to work together with this self-motivated community to provide grades 9-12 for a community that never had a high school, one classroom at a time.
Wondo Genet High School repair album Nov 2008.
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES:
1. Complete high school construction, provide school furnishings and teaching materials.
2. Preserve forests through a reforestation program, whereby tree cutters are transformed into tree planters.