In a classroom marked \u201cComputer Room\u201d at Koye Senior Secondary School, the quiet hum of newly powered machines fills the air. Pairs of students lean over their screens, learning the fundamentals of computer operations \u2014 a skill that, until recently, was a rare privilege here.<\/p>\n
Among them is 18-year-old Fiker Nigatu, a top student preparing for Ethiopia\u2019s Grade 12 National Examination. Fiker, who grew up in the nearby Koye Feche neighborhood of Lemi Kura Sub-City, now spends extra hours practicing on a computer \u2014 something that was nearly impossible a few months ago.<\/p>\n
Thanks to a recent donation from Satguru Travel and Tourism LLC, a Dubai-based travel agency, the school\u2019s once-limited computer lab has come alive. The company\u2019s contribution of computers has given students like Fiker access to digital tools more frequently and conveniently than ever before.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore the donation, we could only use the computer room once a week,\u201d Fiker said. \u201cNow, more of us can practice regularly, and it\u2019s really helping with our studies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The school, which serves thousands of students, had struggled with a shortage of digital resources. Today, rows of newly installed computers and chairs accommodate larger groups, giving every class a chance to participate in basic computer training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe improved access has encouraged many of us to develop digital skills that are essential for our future,\u201d Fiker added. \u201cIt helps us become more creative and better prepared for university.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet, even with this progress, the number of computers remains far below the school\u2019s needs. \u201cWhat we have now is a big improvement,\u201d Fiker said. \u201cBut if we had more, every student could learn equally and without interruption.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two of Fiker\u2019s peers \u2014 Biniam Million and Nohamin Kinfe, both preparing for the national exam \u2014 share his hope that other organizations will follow Satguru\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n
Biniam praised the donation, adding that free and reliable Wi-Fi would further transform their learning. \u201cWith internet access, we could explore more educational materials and find better academic information,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For Nohamin, technology offers a bridge to a broader world. \u201cComputers connect us to new ideas,\u201d she said. \u201cIf we had internet access too, we could watch short lessons and explanations online that make our studies clearer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their aspirations echo those of many Ethiopian students, who see technology not as a luxury but as a path toward equality and opportunity. It symbolizes a chance to imagine a different future.<\/p>\n
The computers that Fiker and his classmates now use are part of a larger initiative that began far from the school\u2019s dusty compound. Their arrival followed a ceremony that brought together educators, government officials, and representatives from Satguru.<\/p>\n
The excitement was palpable at the school one recent morning, as students, parents, and officials gathered in the modest school courtyard for a ceremony that promised change. Representatives from the Oromia Regional State, the Koye Fetche Education Bureau, and the Parents Association joined students and teachers to celebrate a milestone \u2014 the donation of computers and tables by the Dubai-based agency with operations in 75 countries.<\/p>\n
The handover was led by Anil Chandirani, representing the company\u2019s founder. In his remarks, Chandirani said Satguru\u2019s leadership had been inspired by a simple but powerful goal: to expand digital access for students in underserved communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe founder and his son believe every child deserves the chance to learn through technology,\u201d representatives said. \u201cThey started by donating computers to schools in India \u2014 and now, this effort has grown to reach schools around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initiative, Satguru representatives explained, aims to close the digital divide by equipping schools that lack access to computers and online learning tools. Ethiopia was added to the program after Satguru\u2019s local office was asked to identify one school that would benefit most from such support.<\/p>\n
After consultations with non-governmental organizations and education partners, Koye Feche Secondary School was chosen \u2014 not only for its academic promise but also for its diverse student body.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe school brings together students from all corners of Ethiopia \u2014 including those affected by displacement or living with disabilities,\u201d said a Satguru Ethiopia representative. \u201cSome of its students have come from neighboring countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. That diversity made Koye Feche the right place to begin this initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n
The donation, he added, was just the beginning: \u201cWe hope this marks the start of broader cooperation and more contributions in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Taddle Kebede, the principal of the School, the gesture represents more than just a set of machines \u2014 it\u2019s a symbol of progress. The school currently serves over 3,000 students, many of whom were relocated from central Addis Ababa during the city\u2019s corridor renovation project. Among them are more than 50 students from neighboring countries, including Eritrea and South Sudan.<\/p>\n
Before the donation, the school\u2019s single digital library contained just 22 computers \u2014 far too few for its growing population. The new computers from Satguru have allowed the school to open an additional lab, giving students greater access to technology-based learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven with the new equipment, demand remains high,\u201d Taddle said. \u201cOur student numbers keep increasing, and we\u2019re doing our best to ensure everyone has a chance to learn. But we still need more support.\u201d<\/p>\n
He expressed gratitude to the company while urging other organizations and individuals to join the effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cEducation today cannot succeed without digital support,\u201d Taddle told The Reporter. \u201cWe call on all concerned citizens and institutions to help us give these students the tools they need to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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