Local partner: Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus.
Geographical area: Yirgalem (Sidama region).
Description: The city of Yirgalem, in the south of the country, has suffered a large increase in poverty due to the rural exodus and the lack of employment opportunities in the urban centre. Many families find it difficult to ensure that their children go to school due to lack of resources. The Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus run a primary school in Yirgalem and provide access to education for the most vulnerable children.
The school was in a deteriorated condition, due to adverse weather conditions and lack of sufficient resources for maintenance. The Parentes Foundation supports the rehabilitation of some facilities, such as the bathrooms, the construction of a perimeter wall to ensure the safety of the school and the extension of a classroom and meeting room for students and teachers.