About Partners in Education Ethiopia
Partners in Education Ethiopia (Formerly Frances G. Cosco Foundation) is a Canadian charity based in Edmonton, Alberta. Our mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged people through education: “Education for Change”
"It is critically important for women to be educated." That was the visionary conviction of Frances G. Cosco as she grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada in the 1930s. A schoolteacher and feminist before her time, she was the mother of co-founder of Partners of Education, David Cosco, who became involved in charitable work in Ethiopia in 2002.
Realizing the enormous impact that a small amount of money, invested in education, can have on reducing poverty and improving people's lives in poor countries, David and his wife, Gina, set up the charity. Partners in Education undertakes projects in partnership with local Ethiopian governments and organizations, taking a holistic approach to improving, and increasing access to, education in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Registration Certificate
Working Principles
We follow a holistic and community driven approach in our project planning and programming
We invest in long term outcomes rather than in short term outputs
We strive to achieve measurable improvements in communities where we undertake projects
We build on communities’ strengths and resources
Why Ethiopia
We focus on Ethiopia because of the need, and because many of the individuals involved in Partners of Education have firsthand experience and knowledge of the opportunities and challenges present in the country. The Ethiopian government, with support from civil society and other development partners, has put significant effort into improvements over the past decade; however, poverty levels in the country are still among the highest in the world.
We work specifically in the Amhara Region, where the needs are high, we have supportive partners, and we feel that we can deliver results. It is also an area where we are confident that our employees, volunteers, Directors, and donors will be safe.
Our Ethiopia Team
People
terry hillaby
Chairman
+ about terry
Terry has a connection and deep respect for the people of Ethiopia. He was on the Board of Partners In The Horn of Africa, an NGO that did numerous water, education, and other projects in Ethiopia, for over five years. Terry worked directly with staff in both Canada and Ethiopia and brought a solid business perspective to the Board.
Terry also brings the advantage of understanding working in Ethiopia from a donor’s perspective. He led EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd (EBA) aid work in Ethiopia and he was able to visit some of the projects there in 2010. Through Terry’s leadership, EBA and their 700 employees became Partners with the people of Ethiopia over a 10 year period. During that time, 12 EBA employees travelled to Ethiopia to visit the projects supported by the firm and the employees. EBA’s work in Ethiopia changed the employees’ perspective and brought the company together as a team with a deeper understanding of global responsibility and caring. Terry feels that it was the single most important activity that aligned the firm with its core values.
Terry’s favorite song with a message … Tim McGraw’s “Live Life Like You Were Dying”…words to live by!
Gina Cosco
Secretary-Treasurer , CFO
+ about Gina
Gina has been involved in charitable organizations for many years, including the Yukon Child Development Centre, A Safe Place Women’s Shelter, and most recently as volunteer CFO of a Canadian organization doing development work in Ethiopia. The latter entailed numerous trips to Ethiopia, which have provided invaluable experience not only of life, needs, and challenges in the country, but also in terms of accounting and accountability issues that arise in organizations working out-of-country.
Gina worked in public practice as a Chartered Accountant in the Yukon, Canada for a number of years before moving to Edmonton and pursuing her PhD in Business. Her thesis was on accountability and governance in First Nations in Canada. She taught in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta for thirteen years, ending her teaching career with a final stint in the Faculty of Business.
david cosco
Director .
+ about David
David is the inspiration behind, and the co-founder, of Partners in Education Ethiopia. He has been associated with NGOs all of his adult life. He was a founding Director and Treasurer for twelve years of another organization doing development work in Ethiopia. He has spent between one and four weeks in Ethiopia for each of the past ten consecutive years, establishing many contacts with local government and community associations in the country. He is passionate about Ethiopia and about improving the quality of life for Ethiopians.
David was a criminal lawyer in the Yukon, Canada for eleven years, after which he turned to business, becoming a shareholder, President and CEO of a tire and automotive business in Edmonton. Under his leadership, the organization grew to be the seventh largest tire business in North America. The company was sold and three years later, in 2008, David founded his own company, Integra Tire and Auto Centers Ltd. and became its President and CEO.
Natalka Breckenridge
Director
+ about Natalka
Natalka began her entrepreneurial business career in 1979 as Founder and President of Athena Interiors Inc, later rebranded as Canadian Cubicle Curtain Corporation. This sub-contracting Window Covering business flourished on a commercial, industrial and institutional basis with numerous different projects across Canada.
Natalka was born in Northern Alberta to a farming family, attended N.A.I.T (Business Administration) followed by a B.Sc.(P.HEc) from the University of Alberta She also holds the U of A Extension Certificate in Project Management.
Natalka has held numerous volunteer board positions in the past.
We are happy that she can integrate her varied broad sweeping set of past experiences into the development of a school empire with limited resources, allowing youngsters a glimmer of opportunities.
norma mcelhone
Director
+ about Norma
Norma has over 20 years of fundraising experience, and is known for her unique ability to understand donor needs and create value-based solutions. As a professional fundraiser and consultant with a passion for storytelling and connecting individuals and organizations to support and further common goals, Norma has had been a part of many noteworthy capital campaigns for a variety of organizations in health, education and social services.
Norma has led and advised many teams of fundraisers, volunteers and boards throughout Alberta. She enjoys mentoring young professionals in fundraising and helping nonprofit organizations to develop long-term sustainable revenue for their charitable missions.
Grant
Simpson
Director
+ about Grant
Grant is a CMA who brings many years of experience in both business and non-profit organizations in Alberta. He is presently CFO of Alta-Fab Structures Ltd, and has a particular interest in Special Needs children.
Yehalem Abebe Metiku, BA, MPA
Executive Director
+ about yehalem
Yehalem has 18 years of experience working with development organizations. From 2006 until 2013, he served as Country Representative for Partners in the Horn of Africa, a Canadian charitable organization engaged in community development work in Ethiopia. In this role, Yehalem was integrally involved in organizing and overseeing projects and operations in Ethiopia.
During these years of engagement in rural areas of Ethiopia Yehalem has earned enormous respect among the people, particularly government officials and contractors. These relationships, as well as information regarding the needs and possibilities in various areas of Ethiopia, provide Partners in Education with an excellent resource for selecting projects and for ensuring their successful completion.
Yehalem holds a Bachelor’s degree in history from Addis Ababa University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria, Canada. His Master's thesis focused on tools for selecting projects, monitoring project progress, and measuring results in small-scale development programs. During his graduate studies in Canada, Yehalem also worked as Policy Analyst with the BC Medical Services Commission, and as HIV/AIDS Evaluation Consultant with the BC Ministry of Health.
Abiyot
Ashenafi
Teacher Training Expert
+ about abiyot
Abiyot obtained a master’s degree from Bahir Dar University in Educational Psychology, a bachelor’s degree in Educational Planning and Management from Addis Ababa University, Diploma in Mathematics from Gondar College of Teacher Education and has attended several short-term courses including Mother-Tongue Language Material Development. He has amassed a rich and varied experience working for over 15 years in the public sector in various capacities such teacher, high school principal , zonal education department supervisor, and academic dean of a teacher education college. He has also worked in the non-profit sector as a teacher capacity development officer and project team leader.
Abiyot’s intimate knowledge of the Amhara Region, the Ethiopian government’s educational policies, programs and strategies, different educational interventions of NGOs, as well as his hands-on experience have enabled him to know well the opportunities and challenges presented in ensuring access, quality and success for Ethiopian children. Abiyot is our senior education expert, based in Bahir Dar.
Marnat
Adugna
Senior Project Officer
+ about Marnat
Marnat has ten years of experience in the field of health, beginning as a health extension worker at the grassroots level. She went on to serve communities working for various local and international non-governmental organizations in different capacities. Through those years of service, she has won several Best Employee Awards. Marnat is particularly known for her diligence and hard work in remote areas where even basic services are hard to come by.
Marnat holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and is a former nursing professional from Bahir Dar University. As a professional keen on personal career development, Marnat is pursuing her studies for a master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition, which she hopes to complete shortly.
Marnat joined Partners as a Senior Project Officer in November 2019.
Temesgan
Getasew
Junior Education Officer
+ about temesgan
Temesgen completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Language and Literature from Debere Markos University in 2013. He started working as a primary school teacher in Sodo district of the Guraghé Zone in the South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region. During the five years of his tenure in the school he served as department head and chair or member of several school committees and clubs. He was then transferred to the Amhara Region where he worked as a primary school principal in Shebel Berenta district of East Gojjam Zone.
He hopes to complete his post graduate program at the Kotebe Metropolitan University for a master’s degree in Language and Literature in the near future.
Temesgen joined Partners (FGCF) as a Junior Education Office in October of 2019.
Bahiru mehiret hailu
Finance Officer
+ about Bahiru
Bahiru Mehiret Hailu became Partners’ Finance Officer in November 2021. He holds a Bachelor Degree (BA) in Accounting and Finance from Bahir Dar University. For 10 years prior to joining Partners, he worked in various international non-profit organizations in the capacity of Accountant, regional finance and administration officer and coordinator. Based in Bahir Dar, Bahiru will be performing a broad range of accounting duties, as well as using his wealth of experience in the areas of project budget proposals and monitoring.
Madeleine Cosco
Digital Marketing Consultant
+ about maddie
Maddie is responsible for managing the Partners in Education website, as well as digital marketing and communications activities for the organization. She helps to ensure the work taking place on the ground in Ethiopia is communicated to donors and stakeholders in Canada through digital channels.
Maddie has many years experience working in digital project management, content marketing and social media management in Ireland, the UK and Canada. She has a BA in English Literature and Culture, and an MA in International Communications, and is particularly interested in the areas of intercultural communications, environmental sustainability, and international development.
Theodore D. Cosco
Research Consultant
+ about teddy
Teddy is an well published epidemiologist and public health researcher, currently a professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University.
In addition to his experience in population-level research, Teddy has hands-on experience in field research in Guyana. His unique research skillset is very useful in designing and evaluating measurement outcomes, providing robust means of project assessment, and identifying potential areas of improvement.
zenegnaw adimtew addis
Junior Project Officer
+ about zenegnaw
Zenegnaw joined Partners as a Junior Project Officer as of May 2021. He is currently in his 3rd year of a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology, having received an advanced diploma from ALKAN University College. He worked as a clerk on the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam Project (GERDP) for 3 years, and after receiving his diploma, as a Registrar Officer at GAMBY Medical and Business College. His active work on computer hardware and software maintenance (both at his work site and as volunteer work) is a welcome addition to Partners’ ever expanding technical needs.
Getnet Tadele
Research and Resource Mobilization Adviser
+ about getnet
Getnet is a professor at the Department of Sociology, Addis Ababa University and Honorary Professor at Jimma University, Ethiopia. He has been working on the interface of sociology/anthropology and health for over two decades with particular focus on sexuality, HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights, podoconiosis and other NTDs, enhancing gene*environment interactions, among other things. He has numerous publications and has received numerous prestigious academic grants and fellowships.
For more than two decades, Getnet has been intensively engaged in community or consultancy services for various government organizations, multilateral and bilateral organizations, local and international NGOs based in Ethiopia, and foreign universities and organizations. In addition to contributing to the production of knowledge on uncharted territories, many of his academic and consultancy research projects contributed to improved policy and practice.
Cognizant of the difference education has made in his life, Getnet has been working tirelessly and passionately with like minded individuals and organizations to enable children from low income families to have access to good quality education close to home by identifying and addressing the multiple in and out of school barriers children face. It was this commitment to giving back to the community that has enabled Partners to work with Getnet for several years and to benefit from his rich experience and expertise at no cost.
Partner Organizations
ETLearns
ETLearns is an American NGO that provides educational materials to Ethiopian schools. In our case, they have provided chrome books to allow access for students to a huge source of ebooks and other learning materials.
Bahir Dar University
We partner with Bahir Dar University in the areas of: greening programs, in that the university provides not only a landscape architect and a forester, but also all of the seedling trees for our projects; education, in terms of providing students to help design and administer measurement metrics for evaluating students in our schools as well as teachers; ophthalmology department in our joint partnership to assess visual impairment and eye disease among our students.
ICS Addis Ababa
ICS Addis Ababa is an International Baccalaureate School that specializes in an holistic approach to teaching. The school provides teachers who go into our schools to teach our teachers, allows our teachers to come and shadow ICS teachers in their classrooms, and provides all sorts of educational materials to our schools.
Operation Eyesight
Operation Eyesight is an international NGO with whom we have partnered, along with the Ophthalmology Department of the University of Bahir Dar, to test children in our schools for visual impairment as well as disease, and follow up on necessary treatment.
ISEE-urk
ISEE-urk is a Dutch NGO which has agreed to provide funding for the special needs program at Wotet Abay Elementary School and the greening program at Sebatamit Elementary School.
STEMpower INc
STEMpower Inc. is an international NGO that provides access to hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. In collaboration with STEMpower and Internet Society (ISOC) we are working towards creating a pool of entrepreneurship and hub trainers who can cascade the knowledge and skills necessary in establishing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs in the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS).
Financial Statements
As a Canadian charitable organization, direction and control comes from Canada. Because all administrative costs, other than bank charges, incurred in Canada are pro bono, all of Partners in Education’s expenses are paid out of our Ethiopian bank. However, all transactions are approved by the CFO in Canada prior to any payments being made. For construction invoices, a consultant engineer inspects the site and certifies quantities used and quality of work prior to the invoice being submitted to the Executive Director, and then the CFO for approval. The Ethiopian financial statements are prepared by the CFO and audited by an auditor approved by the Ethiopian government. The CFO translates those statements into Canadian dollars, adds in the Canadian bank charges and any capital purchases made in Canada, and prepares the Canadian version of the financial statements.