Funding

I missed both of the last two weeks! I apologize for the inconsistency. We have been very busy on-boarding seven and a half new teachers and have had serious internet outages. Everything is going well with the new team. The arrival of our new teachers has brought lots of energy, new ideas and experience – exactly what we need. Jonathan and I are both excited and hopeful at what they will all be able to contribute.

In addition to welcoming, training and entertaining our new staff, Jonathan and I have spent some time looking over the books for the next year… and we are definitely operating in the red right now. Almost all of our fundraising to date has come from foreign private donations. Jonathan donated the largest amount to start things off and has recently had to donate again to keep us afloat. Many of his Wall Street friends have also made substantial donations. Unfortunately, this is not enough to keep a school operating and fund the capital needs we have to continue to grow.

When Jonathan founded the school, he did so based on the promise that if he built something real – something to serve the people of Somaliland, regardless of whether or not they could pay – that the international organizations, the government, the community members and the Diaspora would step-up and help. Given the amount of money that NGO’s spend in this region and the amount of remittances sent back to the people here, one would think we would have no trouble finding money to support a project that has been proven successful. However, we been met time and time again with people who make promises and don’t deliver and others who commend our good work but do nothing spread the word or to put money in. This is frustrating. Jonathan and Ahmed could have easily founded a school for the wealthy members of the Somali community who could pay enough tuition to the school’s operating costs, but they didn’t. We educate the students who can make the most of the education.

Our most recent upset was sparked by the Somaliland Government who wrote Abaarso Tech into their budget with a promise to donate $50,000 per year, indefinitely. Since the change in administration, we received news that they will reduce that promise to $8,000. This is a big setback in the budgetary planning already completed on our end. We also had an organization who promised to fund our $70,000 Mosque come back after agreeing to do so and say that they could only raise $18,000. These are big sums of money that will not to materialize out of thin air. We are currently looking at some near term liquidity problems. Not good.

So, we are starting a new year and launching a capital campaign to bring Abaarso Tech to operating break-even. At a certain point, revenue from ATU and the AT Tutoring Program should be able to sustain our costs. To get there, we need help. If you are reading this and are in a position to assist with donations or fundraising, please let me know.