A formal celebration was held at our first school, Sebatamit Pre-Primary and Primary School, on May 31, 2025. In particular, David Cosco was honored for his vision and dedication to education and improving the lives of others.
A warm greeting and procession from Sebatamit students started the day, followed by a tour of the school and its surrounding gardens, and the newly named David Cosco Library. A large crowd of dignitaries, educators, community members and students gathered under the trees in the school yard to watch a wonderful program put on by the students. Speeches, dancing, and a delightful, reflective play depicting changing attitudes towards education within families, before and after Partners’ intervention, kept the crowd very engaged. One part of the play was a re-enactment of spreading dung on the floor of the classrooms that students used to do on Friday afternoons in the old school. A presentation of gifts followed and then the celebration moved to a hotel in Bahir Dar. A program put on by Partners’ staff was attended by about 60 people, representing government departments, universities, hospitals, communities, and schools, as well as contractors, donors, volunteers, and former employees. Videos of David and of “10 Years of Partners’” were shown, and an open forum of comments and speeches followed. Finally, the entire group enjoyed a lovely lunch.
Some comments on Partners after 10 years
A letter received from Professor Getnet in response to an invitation to the celebration:
Congratulations and thanks for the invitation, Yehalem!
Over the past decade, PIEE’s transformative work has not only reshaped the lives of countless students but has also redefined what is achievable through participatory, transparent, and cost-effective strategies. By fostering equitable partnerships and bringing together diverse stakeholders—governments, communities, NGOs, universities, the private sector and etc; PIEE has demonstrated the power of collective action in addressing complex educational challenges. From building schools and training teachers to greening school environments and integrating health initiatives, PIEE has consistently prioritized a holistic approach to education and is truly inspiring.. By placing the community at the heart of its efforts, PIEE has not only improved the quality of education but has also empowered teachers, inspired students to dream bigger, and laid the foundation for sustainable access to quality education
As we reflect on the past decade, we are filled with immense gratitude for your tireless dedication and unwavering commitment. Your achievements stand as a testament to what is possible when vision, collaboration, ingenuity, hard work and perseverance come together.
It has been an honor and a privilege to walk alongside such an impactful organization for the past 10 years and PIEE’s genuine dedication to making a difference—rooted in equity, empowerment, and innovation has been a source of inspiration for me. Kudos to the hardworking and dedicated staff in Ethiopia, the visionary founders, the committed board members, and the generous donors in Canada and elsewhere. Your collective efforts have made this remarkable journey possible.
I am Looking forward to witnessing the next chapter of PIEE’s journey, as you continue to inspire, empower, and create lasting change in the lives of countless individuals and communities in the face of an ever-challenging global funding landscape.
Once again, congratulations on a decade of transformative impact/journey!
Getnet Tadele,PhD
Professor, Department of Sociology, Addis Ababa University, Adjunct Prof. Bahirdar University and Honorary Professor, Jimma University
-Past President and Current Board member of Ethiopian Society of Sociologists, Social Workers and Anthropologists (ESSSWA)
-Deputy Chair of Board of Governors of Wolkite University
-Fellow of Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
-Associate Editor- Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities
-Volunteer Research and Resource Mobilization Advisor, Partners in Education Ethiopia