GAMBELLA CELEBRATES THE SUCCESSFUL END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
The Don Bosco Center in Gambella, Ethiopia, recently hosted its festive Parents’ Day and school year graduation. This vibrant event brought the community together, celebrated the children’s talents, and brought moments of profound gratitude, reaching all the way to Slovakia.
More than 500 parents, students, teachers, and invited guests gathered for this lively event, which marked the symbolic end of a successful academic year. It was a unique opportunity for the entire school community to recognize the achievements, hard work, and talents of their students.
THE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE OF ETHIOPIA PRESENTED BY STUDENTS
The program began with a warm welcome to parents and distinguished guests, followed by a series of colorful cultural performances. Students performed traditional dances and artistic presentations showcasing Ethiopia’s rich cultural diversity. The children’s confidence, creativity, and determination shone through the entire program, earning them enthusiastic and well-deserved applause from the audience.
HONORED GUESTS AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM BISHOPS
A truly special moment of the event was the presence of two prominent church leaders: Bishop Roberto Bergamaschi and the newly appointed Bishop of Gambella, Abune Hailemariam. Their participation added deep significance to the celebration and highlighted the close relationship between the Salesian work of Don Bosco and the local church.
In their speeches, both bishops encouraged the students to persevere in pursuing knowledge, embracing core values, and serving others. They also expressed great appreciation to the parents and teachers for their tireless dedication to the holistic development of these young people.
GRATITUDE TO SLOVAKIA
During the program, a special thank-you was extended to the Slovak civic association SAVIO. Their program “Adopcia detí v Etiópii” (Child Sponsorship in Ethiopia) generously supports more than 50 talented and underprivileged students directly at the Don Bosco Gambela center.
The school expressed its heartfelt gratitude for this valuable international partnership. Thanks to the support of Slovak donors, many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds can continue their education, develop their potential, and take steps toward a brighter future.
JOINT EFFORTS AND RECOGNIZING THE BEST
School leaders also addressed the attendees, thanking parents for their constant support and highlighting the dedication of both teaching and non-teaching staff who guided the students throughout the academic year. Speakers emphasized that shaping responsible and capable young people relies on three key pillars: education, discipline, and close collaboration between families and the school.
The graduation ceremony culminated in the presentation of awards and prizes to outstanding students who showed exceptional results throughout the year in:
- Academic studies and disciplines,
- Personal discipline and leadership skills,
- Sports and other extracurricular activities.
These awards served not only as a well-deserved recognition of their hard work but also as great motivation for their classmates to keep striving for excellence.
A STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH A CLEAR GOAL
Parents’ Day and the graduation ceremony at the Don Bosco Gambella center proved that the success of young people is not the work of individuals, but the result of a strong partnership between parents, educators, the church, international donors, and the wider community. Inspired by this joyful atmosphere and powerful messages, the students are now ready to confidently enter the next chapter of their lives.
