Read to the Future Celebrates Successful Year of Teaching

Story by ICS Students Elisabeth, Rodi, Bitania, and Eyosays

Members of the student club Read to the Future celebrated the end of a successful year by hosting a party with students and parents from Mekdela, a local school partner.

ICS students invited the Mekdela students and their families to enjoy a bouncy castle, hamburger barbecue, face painting, and sweets. The students also gifted copies of an English-Amharic bilingual book written by Mastewal  Aberra, a member of the ICS faculty, to the families who attended. The Mekdelda students showcased their skills in a read-aloud in front of the families.

A years-long partnership that runs the entirety of the school year, ICS high school students plan lessons and then visit Mekdela school to read, tutor, and play with the students in kindergarten to grade 8. It's an opportunity for the students of Mekdela to learn and practice English, and for everyone involved to build lasting friendships and relationships. This year, there were 83 students from Mekdela participating.

The year-end celebration was the first party since COVID-19 interrupted face-to-face learning. This year also marked a shift back to "normalcy," as the lessons came offline and were once again held in person. Lessons about colors, numbers, animals, shapes, English language, story telling, mathematics, vocabulary, grammar and relationship building were once again personal and direct -- something the club wanted to celebrate with the families at the party.

The Read to the Future team also wants to thank the many people who came together to make the club happen and give them the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of the Mekdela students. First, thanks to Ms. Siham, without whom this event would not have been possible. She was running back and forth between this celebration (making cotton candy, guarding the bouncy castle) and coaching a soccer game. Second, thanks to Mr. Hathaway for letting us steal his Saturday to make countless burgers. Thanks to Ms. Jerry for taking the time to chaperone us and watch the bouncy castle! Finally, thanks to the members who showed up and assembled burgers, spun cotton candy, and took countless photos!

Find out more about student-led service clubs and the ICS experience on the Learn page.