Afder International School Opens Its Doors in Somali Region
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AFDER, ETHIOPIA — A brand-new Afder International School was officially inaugurated on 5 October 2024, bringing modern classrooms, labs and dormitories to one of the country’s most remote areas. The ribbon-cutting was led by the President of Ethiopia’s Somali Region, H.E. Mustafa Muhumed Omar, who praised the project as a model of “diaspora-driven development.” sahandevcon.com
Built for 99 million birr (about US $800,000), the campus was financed mainly by Afder women living abroad who launched an online fund-raising drive in 2022. President Omar urged other overseas Somalis to follow their example and invest in local education. sahandevcon.com
During the ceremony officials unveiled a marble plaque bearing the school crest and toured bright yellow-walled classrooms, science labs and a new football field. Classes for kindergarten through secondary grades are set to begin in the 2024-25 academic year, with about 350 students expected—half on full scholarships.
Local elders, religious leaders and community groups attended the opening, calling the school a “turning point” for Afder’s young people.
