On this page stories of individuals, associations/unions or groups associated with the former Miazia 27 School or Jimma will be edited.

FMSSAS- The Former Miazia 27 School Students Association in Sweden

By Wubshet Mamo

1974 graduate

During late 1993 and early 1994, two FMSSAS members visited the former Miazia 27 Secondary School in Jimma (currently known as Jimma Comprehensive Secondary School). Following their visit, a report that describing the decrepit conditions of the school was presented. Based on this report, a call for joint action was made to former students, teachers and affiliates of the school residing in Europe, Canada and North America. A number of former Miazians (most from the USA) responded very positively and applauded the initiative. At the same time, close contact between the former Miazia 27 School in Jimma and FMSSAS has been established.

In mid 1994 FMSSAS initiated its commitment to assist the school and the first materials to be delivered to the school were equipment necessary for the physical training (Sport) department. Since 1994 equipment that are necessary for various academic, vocational departments and workshops has been periodically sent to the school. Moreover, FMSSAS members make occasional visits to the school and design future projects with the staff. We have witnessed that the equipment that the school has received has been of tremendous help to both the students and the school.

FMSSAS has also requested that foreign NGOs and donators contribute to the improvement of this school. In 1998 FMSSAS initiated collaboration with the Educational Center of Kristianstad in Sweden, who's primary objective is to establish international training centers in developing countries and to promote the transfer of technology, Curriculum development and to enable the provision of technical assistances.

FMSSAS also arranged for the Director of the Institute, by then Mr. Åke Berglund to visit the school in Jimma. Following his return, a joint collaboration program was established between Mr. Åke Berglund representing the Educational Center of Kristianstad in Sweden and the former Miazia School in Jimma. The first actions of the collaboration included a proposal for a "feasibility study", presented by Mr. Åke Berglund to the school and through the school to the Ministry of Education in Addis Ababa. However, due to the failure to influence the bureaucratic ministerial offices and lack of a continuous follow up from Ethiopian end, the program has not yet been implemented.

We focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Ethiopia

FMSSAS's initiatives are now focusing on the ongoing fight of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. AIDS is a significant problem in Ethiopia. Its major impact is upon the youth, who are the future of the country. Jimma and its surroundings are among the regions that are hardly hit by AIDS.

In collaboration with the anti-AIDS clubs already in existence at the school, FMSSAS will implement a program centered on effective HIV prevention strategies among school age children. FMSSAS strongly believes that a comprehensive education program on HIV/AIDS directed at students, teachers and staff and open discussion of the problem, will certainly create an awareness that can contribute to minimizing the risk of being infected or transmitting HIV. The other aim of FMSSAS is to reach the surrounding communities in Jimma to disseminate anti HIV/AIDS information via the schools anti-AIDS club. Our aim is to assist the school with all available means so that it produces healthy, informed and responsible citizens, which will result in a brighter future for the country.

Establishing a network forum for the former Miazians  (Alumni homepage) 

Since bringing alumni together main focus of the FMSSAS, on 12 September 2001 the first accessible forum (alumni homepage) for the former students, teachers and staffs of the school (alumni) was created (www.miaziaalumni.tripiod.com). Through this forum alumni can meet, chat and share past memories, exchange information and forward projects to assist their former school, as well as others in the country. This forum is also expected to be a useful tool, by providing much needed information to the present students, teachers, and staff in their fight against HIV/AIDS.

Establishing a computer-learning center in the former Miazia  27 Secondary School

Thanks to former students (in particular to Ato Teisir, Aba-Jobir and Ato Zenab Aba-Jebel), the school has the only high-school computer-learning center in the region. The center was opened in December 1999 and a FMSSAS representative was invited to officially mark the occasion. The center has a capacity to accommodate about 20 students, however there is an obvious need for many more students and teachers to have access to the Internet in order to download necessary and valuable educational material. In order to alleviate this problem, on 19 February 2003, FMSSAS delivered 10 late model computers, a laser printer, modems and other Internet accessories to the school.