"Lively Vaterstetten", October 2025 issue
Oct 2, 2025
The current issue of Lebendiges Vaterstetten magazine reports on our partnership with Alem Katema and the grand opening of the Parsdorf kindergarten. An important milestone for our shared future!
Kindergarten “Parsdorf” opens in Alem Katema
After almost two years of construction and perseverance, it's finally done: The new "Parsdorf" kindergarten has opened its doors in our Ethiopian partner city of Alem Katema.
"September 12th was New Year's Day in Ethiopia. Since the first Monday of the new year, the first 300 or so children from the Kebele 2 district have been playing, laughing and learning there – a strong sign of partnership despite many obstacles."
Political unrest and the drastic currency reform – the Birr fell from 60 to 160 per euro – hampered construction. All the more valuable, then, is what has been achieved through collective effort: a barrier-free, spacious kindergarten that welcomes children with disabilities. The cheerful yellow building is not only modern but also a pioneer in inclusion and sustainability.
In cooperation with MALD (Multiple Approaches for Learning Deficiencies) and the German Church School in Addis Ababa, teachers receive specialized training to ensure individualized support for each child. Fifteen additional educators have been hired to operate the school – a significant boost for the city.
Furthermore, since the start of this school year, all three kindergartens report directly to the school board. This gives them more autonomy and allows them to focus more on modern, child-centered pedagogy – a cause our association has championed for years.
Sustainability was also taken into consideration: A large storage tank of about 200m³ collects rainwater from the roofs and supplies the kindergarten with service water for the toilets and cleaning – an important contribution in a region where water is scarce and precious.
“When you see the children running joyfully through the bright rooms, you know: every effort, every donation, and every struggle for this project has been worthwhile,” says the board of the association. “This kindergarten is more than a building – it is a place of hope and a promise for the future.”
The official handover of the keys to the city will take place at the end of October. Representatives of our association will travel to Alem Katema to celebrate this special moment with the local population.