About Us

Our Vision

A future of Ethiopia where every child can complete school and every adult able to find a quality job

Our Mission

To offer scholarships that allow students in Gondar Ethiopia to finish the last two years of high school A future of Ethiopia where every child can complete school and every adult able to find a quality job

1. To encourage and facilitate the establishment of GDCO member organizations (chapters) wherever groups of Gondaris reside.

2. To initiate, encourage, promote, and support local community development initiatives in the Gondar Region.

3. To play an advocacy role in the fight to preserve and promote Gondar’s cultural heritage.
4. To use members’ resources, as well as those of other interested and concerned parties and organizations, to fund rehabilitation and development programs in the Gondar Region.

5. To develop close working relationships with Gondar Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Association (GRRDA) offices in Addis Ababa and Gondar as well as befriend and co-operate with other development-oriented organizations in Ethiopia and elsewhere.

Who We Are

Gondar Development and Cooperation Organization (GDCO)”

GDCO Was established as a 501C-NGO on October 2nd, 1991 in Washington, D.C.

• The Scholarship Program established in 1996 was initiated by a special committee

• To facilitate its operation, the organization started cooperation with its sister organization, Gondar Relief and Rehabilitation Development Association (GRRDA), Addis Ababa

• GDCO started its scholarship program with 76 students who were supported by donation from individuals residing in the U.S

Where We Work

Ethiopia is one of the largest countries and the second most populous in Africa. It is a hub of numerous ethnic group and home to the three major faiths of the global community: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Mutual tolerance and peaceful coexistence among its 105 million people is a hallmark of this ancient nation.

GDCO was founded by a group of Ethiopians who felt strongly that they need to contribute their share to the socioeconomic development of the people of Ethiopia with a special focus on the youth population.

Given the enormity of the challenges in Ethiopia’s development, the founders chose to focus on the Gondar sub-region. With a population estimated at more than 6 million, Gondar was formerly known as Begemider and Siemen.

Gondar city known as the Camelot of Ethiopia is in northwest part of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Fasilides in 1636 the City of Gondar served as Ethiopia’s capital from 1632 to 1855. Gondar is reputed to be one of the cradles of Ethiopian civilization. Its famous land-marks include the following:

1. Debre Birhan Selassie: 17th-18th century wall paintings.

2. Fasilides Castle. Built in 1640 as the home of King Fasilides.

3. Mentwab’s Palace (Kusquam).

4. Fasilides Bath, where Ethiopia’s famous annual Timket ceremony is celebrated.

5. The town of Gorgora on the northern shore of Lake Tana about 70 km from Gondar, with numerous ancient relics.

6. The Church of Debre Sina, built in the 17th century and adorned with biblical paintings.

PARTNER (GRRDA)

Our sister organization GRRDA (Golam), is a registered local NGO in Ethiopia and it

is authorized to finalize program agreements with the Ethiopian Government, administer the distribution of funds sent by GDCO and negotiate with Customs Office the release of

goods and educational materials sent from abroad to schools in the region, Our affiliate organization, GRRDA- Gondar ensures that schools select successful candidates according to the criteria set by GDCO, and the selection is made by a committee made up of school directors, teachers, parent’s representatives, and students.

Organization and Management

GDCO had revised its organizational structure a number of times since its inception to solve problems; the major ones being in 1999 and 2005. The much anticipated meeting of GDCO's 3rd Congress (General Meeting) was held in Silver Spring, Maryland, on January 8, 2005. Among other things, it endorsed a well-thought and updated version of the bylaws of GDCO. Chapter 5 article 4 of the bylaws articulated in clear terms the main functional bodies of the organization.

General Assembly (GA)

The supreme authority of the organization is made up of two duly elected representatives from each member organization of GDCO. The authority's main duties and responsibilities include laying down general policy and directives, and electing the board of directors and members of the Audit Committee. New members are welcome to join if they qualify and abide by the Organization's bylaws.

Management Board (Board of Directors)

There are two types of membership to the board. Fifty per cent will be representatives from each member organization, and the other fifty percent will be nominated by the GA on the basis of their professional merit and their commitment to the fulfillment of GDCO's objectives. The Board oversees the performance of the Executive Committee, strengthens the membership of GDCO, and lobbies governmental and non-governmental institutions both in Ethiopia and else where for support and resources.

Current Board of Directors

Dr. Mulatu Wubneh
Chairman
Board Chairman
Ms. Amsal Woreta
Managing Director
Dr. Adugnaw Worku
Member
Mr. Eyasu Damtew
Secretary & Treasurer

Education (Scholarship) Committee

Dr. Genet Desta
Chairman
Mr. Zewdu Belai
Secretary
Mrs. Sara Takele
Member
Mr. Eyasu Damtew
Member
Mr. Yohannes Mersha
Member
Mr. Wubu Ingdayehu
Member
Mr. Walelegne Mantegbot
Member
Dr. Asnakew Tsega
Member
Mr. Mulugeta Negussie
Member
Mr. Haile Akalu
Member

Managing Directors’Committee

The managing Directors’ Committee forms the Secretariat of the Organization (GDCO). Its duties and responsibilities include handling day-to-day activities of the GDCO, applying important policies and directives issued by the GA and the Board, and generating policy ideas and preparing projects and programs aimed at the fulfillment of GDCO’s vision admission statements. The current members of the Managing Directors’ Committee are:

Ms. Amsal Woreta
Managing Director
Mr. Eyasu Damtew
Secretary & Treasurer

Audit Committee

Mr. Mehari Belay
Chief Auditor

Lisane Gondar Editorial Committee

Dr. Mulatu Wobneh
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Alemante G/Selassie
Editor
Dr. Adugnaw Worku
Editor

Immediate Tasks

1. Continue and expand the Educational/scholarship program.

2. Strengthen tertiary learning institutions (universities, colleges, etc.) in the Gondar Region through secondment programs (i.e. through the deployment of academicians/scholars, donations of textbooks, computers, etc.).

What Has Been Done So Far?

1. Many Gondaris have been brought together under an umbrella organization dedicated to unity and solidarity.

2. The Scholarship Program was initiated in 1996 to encourage outstanding students among 11th and 12th graders who lacked the resources to continue their education. The program began its first year by assisting 76 students from 20 different high schools. Then, the next year (1997) the number of students receiving help was raised to 105, a level which held steady until 2003. During this time, the financial support provided to GDCO scholarship winners remained a mere Birr 60(US $7) per month. But in 2004 the program was transformed both in scale and quality. The number of recipients was increased to 150 and the financial support raised to Birr 75 (US $9) per month, for ten months every year. As this program is appreciated at the receiving end as well as by donors here in the USA, it is likely to continue and expand.