Ethiopia – In the sun-scorched plains of Yabello, Ethiopia, where the horizon dances with heat and drought, is a silent predator, a quiet revolution is unfolding not with weapons or wealth, but with chalk, compassion, and unwavering faith.
At the heart of this transformation is Dhoqolle Catholic Primary School, a beacon of hope established by Spiritan missionaries in 1984 in Ethiopia. What began as a humble effort to bring basic literacy to nomadic children now stands as a sanctuary of growth and opportunity for over 455 students including 202 girls from the Borana community.
This transformation can be traced to the tireless work of a devoted priest Rev. Father Michael Ramesh, a Spiritan Priest whose vision for education amid challenges has inspired a whole generation of the Borana people. Armed with nothing more than his faith, determination, and a deep sense of humanity, he saw not just a school, but a mission field of potential. In a region crippled by climate change, where erratic rains and withering pastures threaten the pastoralist way of life, his calling was clear: to transform the society by developing sustainable infrastructure.
“In 2024, we faced devastating floods that wrecked havoc in the area. the girls’ toilets were completely destroyed. The remaining studying rooms ended up collapsing and materials were completely washed away tearing its foundation to the core. Fortunately no student was hurt. The students were forced to share toilets which was completely unhygienic , most especially for the girls.” Amidst all this, Fr. Ramesh did not give up, he still sought to create awareness among parents and community members of the importance of girls’ education, education and empowerment.
With limited resources, students were forced to share desks and reading materials which posed an even greater challenge. Students would miss out on school due to the collapse of the muddy walls which threatened their safety.
The Borana people , a proud pastoralist community are deemed to be one of the most marginalized communities in Ethiopia. With no access to regular healthcare, poor infrastructure , and minimal governance. They rely entirely on their livestock as a livelihood. But as climate change tightens its grip, their herds diminish affecting their traditional way of life. For girls especially, the odds are daunting. From early marriages to household burdens and a lack of sanitation facilities push them out of school and into a cycle of poverty. But in every cloud there is a silver lining.
Fr. Ramesh worked closely with the community elders, listening to them while advocating for the children’s future in education. With help from international donors, he expanded the school, build better and more strong classrooms. Enrollment has surged within the past one year, with children now trekking from villages like Arballa, Gobso , Lafto, and districts like Dubluk to attend classes.
The students are now staying longer in schools , protected from forced marriages and empowered to transform the society further. Fr. Ramesh championed sanitation infrastructure , building gender-sensitive latrines and water points , knowing that dignity is foundational for learning. This is true liberation. An act of kindness.
This is a lasting legacy. Dhoqolle Catholic Primary School is more than a school; it is the altar where hope is offered daily in the form of books and belief. And the priest, though never seeking fame, is remembered not just for building classrooms , but for building futures. For him, this is just but a journey and not a destination. He seeks further to install solar-powered technology within the community as well as mobile clinics to help during droughts and coordinate sustainable farming alternatives to buffer against climate shocks.
As Ethiopia continues to battle the harsh realities of climate change, the story of Dhoqolle reminds us that real transformation is often born in silence — through the quiet acts of service, the persistence of vision, and the radical belief that even in the driest deserts, faith can bloom.
