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Re: Gerset Agriculture Project creating practical learning opportunity
Existing and planned electrical supply in Eritrea. Highvoltage grid #asmara #massawa #hirghigo https://researchgate.net/figure/Ring-ma ... _235671032
At the moment we have stubs from Asmara, Keren, Massawa, Dekemhare and Mendefera! To guarantee the 1-N principle a ring grid around Asmara with Keren, Massawa, Mendefera & Dekemhare would be useful.
(Eri-tricity: @EriTricity)
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Support to disadvantaged families
http://www.shabait.com/news/local-news/ ... d-families
Asmara, 19 August 2020- Financial support has been extended to disadvantaged families in the sub-zones of Gala-Nefhi, Mai-Temenai, Akria and Paradizo, Central region.
According to report, in Sela’e Daero administrative area, Gala-Nefhi sub-zone, over 355 thousand Nakfa was distributed to disadvantaged families in the area, in Mai-Temenai sub-zone 67 thousand Nakfa, in Akria sub-zone over 139 thousand Nakfa and in Adi-Sogdo, Paradizo sub-zone, 69 thousand Nakfa.
Similarly, 149 thousand Nakfa contributed by Tesfa Sport Club was disbursed to war disabled veterans in 11 sub-zones in the Central region.
In related news, the Eritrean National War-Disabled Veterans’ Association branch in the Southern region also distributed 1 thousand Nakfa each to 18 members of the association in Mai-Mine sub-zone, Southern region.
Re: Gerset Agriculture Project creating practical learning opportunity
Hard work is what we need and I trust that most Eritrean farmers have that quality,
Farmer Mahder Mantay
Written by Asmait Futsumbrhan
http://shabait.com/articles/q-a-a/30941 ... er-mantay-
Articles - Q & A
Meet Mr. Mahder Mantay, a recipient of the Minimum Integrated Household Agricultural Package (MIHAP) introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in 2015. Mr. Mahder, a farmer, lives in Elabered sub-zone, Anseba Region.
His desire to change and work hard in his farm has enabled him to be recognized as one of the exemplary farmers in his area. This is an interview he conducted with Filmawit Measho from the Public Relations Division at the MoA.
How did it all begin, Mr. Mahder?
To begin with, I started working as an employee at agricultural farms in Hagaz, Adi Berbere and Alebu. The experience I gained there and seeing what people can do and produce if they work hard gave me the inspiration to want to have something of my own. By 1998, I tried to dig a well and shared a water pump with a neighbor of mine before the Ministry of Agriculture gave me a generator. That was all before the third offensive during the border war in 2000, and just like everyone else, I left home to defend my country. This put a hold on my agricultural activities for quite some time.
In 2015, I became one of the beneficiaries of MIHAP; I was given 25 chickens, two beehives, fruit seedlings and vegetable crops. I now have half a hectare of land where I grow Alfalfa and elephant grass for animal feed, guava trees, and orange trees. I also crop-rotate all kinds of vegetables and my land is suitable for any type of plant.
Any reason why the land is suitable for any type of plant? What can you tell us about the importance of good land management in agriculture?
Well, initially the land was not fertile, but then we were given training on the benefits and preparation of compost by the Ministry. Immediately, I dug up two holes and started to prepare it for a trial in making compost. Then I started treating my land with it. I was so surprised by the results; my land started to regenerate and give me more harvest. After that, I even stopped using artificial fertilizers. I use only compost for my crops. I trust that having the right land management is vital in agriculture. I would prefer to have a small agricultural area and work to expand it through work and experience. I honestly don’t believe that there is bad land; I just think that farmers have to know what the crops need and pay attention to what is missing and what is required for the land to yield good products. Having this theory has allowed me to have good harvest, better than those who own much larger farms.
Mr. Mahder, what are the benefits you got out of MIHAP?
In the past, we used to go to the Western low lands and Semenawi Bahri to look for job opportunities. We wouldn’t even have time to spend the night at home. Nonetheless, after what the MoA has offered us, everything is easier for us, farmers, since we are provided with everything we need. Now, I don’t have to travel long looking for job opportunities; I have everything I need right in front of me. My family gets milk, yoghurt, [deleted], ghee, eggs, meat, crops, vegetables and fruits right from our own farm. I also make money by selling my products to the public. My wife, along with other women farmers, was trained about the benefits of sweet potato and we have planted some for trial and are expecting good harvest soon. Besides, having understood the benefits of dairy products, I have exchanged my oxen for a cow and raised the number of my cows to four, which has enabled me to pay my debt.
Any challenges you faced in the process?
I believe if you have love and understanding with your family, challenges can be dealt with. My wife and kids are always by my side; and we get a lot of advice and help from the Ministry of Agriculture. The only challenge we have now is sustainable water source. We have a check dam but the rain has not been helpful. And at times, we don’t find market for our surplus products. Nevertheless, I am thankful.
Any message you would like to convey?
I am very blessed to be one of the farmers, that are part of the MIHAP. I never thought that I would be where I am today. I believe if we keep on going like this, we will provide our products not only for our subzone but for the whole country. Hard-work is what we need and I trust that most Eritrean farmers have that quality. I see a bright future for all of us. Also, I applaud the Ministry of Agriculture for all the work it does and the opportunities and assistance it is giving farmers.
Thank you.
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How must Sawa have been in 2020?
Written by Billion Temesghen
http://shabait.com/about-eritrea/art-a- ... n-in-2020-
About Eritrea - Art & Sport
Although the meaning of Sawa may be subjective, people who have been to Sawa have many things in common. I will list three.
First and foremost is the new sense of family that we get. With no parents or adult relatives supervising us, we learn to rely on one another. We mingle with complete strangers and accept differences. Little do we know that those ‘complete strangers’ will eventually turn to be our partners for life. As we grow old, memories of them stay in our hearts and we remember them with a smile.
Towards the end of July and the beginning of August, Eritrean youth grab their bags and walk out of their homes at dawn. Emotions build in their stomach, shaking their guts.
is what you chant as you take heavy steps away from home.You are not a kid anymore
You’ll be away from home for the next 365 of your life. At that moment, fear strikes and you begin to miss home when you’re just few meters away from the doorstep. Voices of your family members start echoing in your head. The last glance you took of your family members’ faces, painted with mixed emotions, shuffle in front of your eyes. Blink all you want, but you won’t stop them from annoying you. Lips, hands, knees, all parts of your body tremble and you struggle to say goodbye.
the strongest of your family members reminds you.It’s just one year! One year!
you mumble walking away with watery eyes you don’t want to show.Yeah, right,
At that instance, now and back in the days, every one of us who got on a bus destined for Sawa ironically thinks alike:
Without looking back you get on that bus, hide your watery eyes because you can’t show your classmates you’re weak.I am not a kid anymore.
we would repeat to ourselves in silence. But what awaits us in Sawa is still a mystery.I am not a kid anymore,
After a year’s stay in Sawa, on the last day of our journey, the line
begins to ring in our heads.It’s just one year. One year!
It’s true one year is just one year. Not one day longer, and not a day shorter. You finally realize what the strongest of your family meant by “just one year”. What seemed the biggest challenge when you got on that bus to Sawa is not a challenge anymore. You overcame it. But that is just one of the many, countless other unimaginable challenges you overcame.
The second thing those of us who have experienced Sawa have in common is our attitude. We don’t fear challenges anymore. After overcoming the challenges we face in life while adjusting to a complete new lifestyle, we become better versions of ourselves: grownups, fearless and courageous.
The earliest days in Sawa make you feel seasick. Once you get off the bus in Sawa and you’re shown your dormitories you feel queasy. Sitting on the edge of your bed you rub your sweating against your laps. Faint dizziness overwhelms you as you study the structure of the building you’re put in. It’s mostly white; the walls of the arched dormitories. They say it’s built that way to allow free movement of air during the hot season, and you try to understand how.
An unofficial meeting and greeting session begins with people of your age who come from different parts of the country. They’re all nice. The older ones, the trainers in military uniform, pass by to make sure everything is alright for the newcomers.
For many, the first night is sleepless. Adjusting to the new bed and new ceiling above your head is not easy. You toss and turn until you finally fall into a deep sleep of what is to be the first night of many comfortable nights ahead.
Speaking of nights, for students in Sawa night time is precious. After a long day of education, topped by a whole list of activities, you learn to appreciate bed time. That’s unlike the view you had back home, where you’d delay bed time as much as you can.
We missed home so much that we learned that we could have been better children to our families. We learned that we should have spent more time with them and done more house chores. We missed them. We missed them dearly.
Besides adjusting to our new family Sawa and completely falling in love with them, a common escape from homesickness for many is telling our new brothers and sisters all about home, our families and our siblings while looking at the beautiful sky the world has ever seen. It works. This specific method proved to be efficient by many.
The night sky in Sawa is spectacular. It gets better every night. The night sky reminds me of Francesco Saveerio Fresa’s ‘Dancing of the Muse’ atop the Teatro Asmara’s chapel. Personally, I saw more shooting stars in Sawa than anywhere else. Stars twinkled right above our heads. It felt as if we could touch them if we stretched our hands, just a little bit more. Stars are not timid in the skies of Sawa. They are not shy. When the night deepens, they vigorously strip off soft clouds to sway in front of the bare human eye.
When the last day of Sawa approaches we get nauseous, again! Just like the first day, all over again. We get so used to our new family that we hate to part ways. But we also think of our other family at home waiting for us. It is a bitter sweet time that we really want to get over with as soon as possible. As we part ways and we get on our buses home, emotions build up shaking up our guts. We don’t know what great things the new versions of us will get us to. We are, by then, very strong, resilient and proud of what we’ve achieved. Life ahead of us is a mystery, again.
We suddenly crave our home’s food. We feel an urge of seeing our families. We don’t want to leave our “home” in Sawa but we really have to go back home. This specific moment is what marks the end of a chapter of our lives. We get on the bus back home. We sing and scream our way back. It is the only way of exhaling out our mixed emotions.
When we get home everything feels unbearably different. The house feels small, the toilet somewhat not comfortable and your bed too soft, more like a crib.
you whimper.I am just too old for this!
Toss and turn till you finally tumble in a deep sleep of what is simply a continuation of the many nights you started in Sawa as a grownup. What changes is just the setting of the ‘bedroom’, from a dormitory to your own bedroom. You have grown into a man or a woman who doesn’t take life for granted. And what your mother doesn’t know is that you’ll have your bed done by the time she comes to wake you up. And what your siblings don’t know is that you’ll have the toilet clean before anyone gets in early in the morning.
The third thing those of us who have gone to Sawa have in common is that the nausea of the last day is followed by the untapped quest of the life we all realistically imagine for each of us.
Writing this piece at this point in time makes me think of those who have been in Sawa this past year. They are still there, the 33rd round. As the world is being torn by Covid- 19, we, human beings, have come to terms with our weakness. We’re weak, no doubt. We have come to realize how fragile we are as a global community in spite of the military might, health systems and big leaps in technology humanity has achieved. The pandemic has forced us, social animals, to live in seclusion.
As if what they had on their plates was not enough, for the youth in Sawa, this period has become yet another challenge on their list. I can only imagine how they took it. When they set out for Sawa last year, they didn’t anticipate this. It must have required them to be immensely strong to fight the emotions of being away from their loved ones at such a gloomy time and not know firsthand about their relatives’ health. The lockdown has generally been depressing, but it gets a lot easier when you have family members to share the burden with. Can you imagine being away during such a time?
Also, their stay had to be prolonged. Remember the third thing the youth who have been to Sawa have in common? …The nausea of the last day followed by untapped quest of the life we all realistically imagine for each of us. For the young girls and boys of the 33rd round, that day was extended because of the lockdown. That one day nausea, for them, must have lingered longer, becoming a nausea that went on for weeks.
Moreover, the virus called for humans’ constant attention to “normal” behaviors. Not touching our faces, covering our mouth with our elbows when coughing, not touching anything at all and keeping distance from one another. All unconventional but vital steps in the fight against Covid-19. Many of these practices require repetition and discipline. After all, we were taught not to touch fire but not the door handles!
Abandoning many of our habits is what makes us heroes in this fight against Covid 19. It is certainly not easy. Sometimes we forget and shake hands and when we realize it was a wrong move we get agitated until we spot a bottle of hand sanitizer. It’s amazing how we make mistakes even when in seclusion. The youth of the 33rd round in Sawa, however, cannot afford to make those mistakes. They simply can’t. While living in big groups, their only way out through the lockdown must have been serious, serious discipline. For this, they are indeed heroes.
On Saturday 15th August 2020, the 33rd round graduated. Normally, Eritreans from inside the country and outside flock to Sawa to attend the big event. With the lockdown in place, however, fewer people went to be part of the event. Nevertheless, it was not as lonely because people watched the event broadcast live on television.
Sawa is challenging as it is. How far more challenging must have it been around this time? That is something only the students and their instructors can answer. What we all can agree upon, though, is that every human being is nowadays required to practice patience and wisdom. That is exactly what the members of the 33rd round, graduates of Sawa Centre for Vocational Training and teachers demonstrated.