Bridging science and solidarity: our humanitarian mission in Debre Libanos
Beyond the scientific goals of our project, we felt a strong responsibility to give something tangible back to the community that welcomed us so warmly in Debre Libanos. Living and working in such a remote area of Ethiopia made us realize how deeply education shapes the future of children and, through them, the future of the whole community. Supporting schools here is not only about providing supplies, it is about investing in opportunities, dignity, and hope that can last well beyond our presence.
Thanks to the generosity of friends, colleagues, and families who joined our crowdfunding initiative, we were able to support five local primary schools with essential educational materials. Hundreds of textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, backpacks, and posters were carefully distributed so that every child could benefit. Importantly, rather than purchasing these items abroad, we deliberately chose to buy everything from local shops in Ethiopia, ensuring that our effort could also support small businesses in the region. For many children, receiving even a simple set of notebooks and pencils was an extraordinary moment of joy and pride.
We also wanted to offer something that could remain for years to come. Together with a local craftsman, we commissioned the construction of 23 sturdy wooden and iron desks, which transformed a bare mud-walled room into a true classroom. This choice was not only about providing durable furniture, but also about creating work opportunities for a local artisan whose skills and time gave life to something that will serve the schools for many years. Seeing the children sit at those desks for the very first time reminded us that even small actions can leave a lasting mark.
Our mission was never about making grand changes, but about planting seeds. Education is the most fertile ground for those seeds, and by nurturing it we hope to contribute, however modestly, to the long-term growth of the children of Debre Libanos.
And this is only the beginning: we hope to return soon to Ethiopia, ready to continue our research and, at the same time, to keep sowing small seeds of support for the community that has given us so much. Because every time we go back, we don’t just study, we also grow together.