A lack of local schools in this area meant students were faced with a three hour walk every day. As a result 99% of children were unable to gain an education.
In this region, the Costa Foundation built and furnished a brand new high school with eight classrooms, two sanitation blocks and a library complete with reference books. Electricity was also provided locally for the first time in this community as a direct result of the Foundation's investments.
The school provides high school education for 14 feeder schools in 12 parishes and thus its benefits will be felt by a wider population of over 100,000.
The investment has also enabled the Local Education Authority to fund eight flat-screen TVs for the school. These are being used to help teachers in Addis Ababa give 'one-way' lessons to the school's pupils via Skype, as well as show educational DVDs to support HIV/AIDS awareness.
Following a visit from Costa Foundation trustees in February 2010, further funds have been donated to provide additional text books, sanitation and play equipment to help the growing numbers attending the school.
"True change of our farmers' lives can only be through education."
Mr Tadesse Meskela, the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union.
Click on the video below to see a video diary of the progress in Kilenso Rasa.
