Established as affiliated facilities to SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia to provide a holistic and formal education to children drawn from SOS Family Care Programmes and the surrounding community, the journey began in the town of Mekelle, with the inauguration of the first SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia. Since then, the school has offered a welcoming space designed to ease the worries of both children and their parents. 

Once children step through the doors, they are greeted by dedicated teachers who are wholeheartedly committed to their growth, surrounded by peers eager to learn and play. In this safe haven, each child discovers not just education, but a profound sense of belonging, transforming their fears into joy and igniting their curiosity. With the support of SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia, parents have since let go of their worries, confident that their children are in a nurturing environment that has been fostering growth for over 40 years. 

This success was soon followed by the Programme Locations in Harrar, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Jimma, Gode and Addis Ababa contributing to a comprehensive educational experience from kindergarten to secondary levels, except for the school in Addis Ababa, which began operations in 2024 and only accommodates to a primary level. 

Long before the current number of schools in Ethiopia, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia laid the groundwork for educational excellence. Since its inception, it has welcomed numerous international educators to enriching the local educational landscape with knowledge transfer and innovative teaching styles. The impact of SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia is evident not just in academic achievements, but also in the lives of parents who have witnessed their children’s growth and success over the years. 

Some dedicated teachers from SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia have even gone on to establish their own schools, equipped with the skills and confidence gained from their time, amplifying the positive influence of SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools on future generations. 

However, challenges arose as tuition fees, which were heavily subsidized, covered less than 50% of the operational budget. This situation underscored the need for a transition to a social business model. In 2016, with the change in funding stream, a pivotal shift occurred when the educational establishments transformed into income generating entities, enabling the schools to generate income while fulfilling its social mission. 

Now, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia operate with a dual objective: to achieve profitability that supports its mission of providing quality education while maintaining a commitment to social responsibility.  

Since the transformation, significant changes have occurred, including an increase in student capacity and staff numbers. Initially, the total enrolment in the 7 schools was not more than 4,700 students at the start of 2017. Today, that number has doubled, a testament to the successful expansion efforts. After a period of resilience and determination, 2020 marked a crucial turning point as the schools transitioned to sustainability. 

However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges to the school’s structure. This situation necessitated lowered tuition fees, the introduction of a shift system, alternative class schedules that required more teachers, to even reducing classroom capacities in half to minimize contamination risks. Following this, conflict in the Tigray region led to further disruptions. Despite these setbacks, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia remained steadfast in its mission, building new classrooms and expanding enrolment to support children who had fallen behind. Even going to the extent of revitalizing the long-closed SOS Vocational Training Centre in Addia Ababa, transforming it into a vibrant school for kindergarten and primary students. 

The results speak for themselves. Amid these difficult times, students with the support of the school's teachers have consistently excelled. For instance, during the 12th grade National Examination of the year 2016 EC, while other schools reported passing rates as low as 5%, SOS Herman Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia achieved an impressive passing rate of above 95%. 

Excitingly, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia also offer training for students aged 14-16 for the Cambridge IGCSE, providing pathways for scholarships to prestigious schools abroad. Initially targeted for children in SOS Family Care Programmes, plans are underway to extend this opportunity to all students at SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia as well as to children attending other schools in the area. 

Enrolment continues to exceed expectations, with many parents eager to register their children. As SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia embarks on a new growth phase, the aim is to sustain its achievements while further supporting its mission. 

Looking ahead, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools in Ethiopia aspires to expand its reach into other regions, maintaining its strong impact on education. Even with a modest market share in some areas, the focus remains on providing good quality education, creating job opportunities for teachers, and inspiring other educational institutions to grow further reaching more children.