In 2014 DASSC interviewed several candidates for the job of Education Project Manager of Exeter Ethiopia Link’s Education projects in Nekemte town and the three surrounding woredas. Gobena Atomsa was appointed, and brought with him many years of experience.

For many years Gobena had been a Senior Lecturer at Nekemte Teacher Training College. He was well known throughout the town and very well respected in education circles in Nekemte. I had the opportunity to see him working with both children and adults on many occasions. Gobena was always able to engage with his students, regardless of their age. In fact we met many teachers and Directors (Headteachers) in schools that were former pupils of his.

In addition to his work monitoring EEL projects and training librarians and teachers, Gobena also found time to promote school to school linking. It is due to him that this work was successful. He encouraged the Ethiopian schools to write letters and posted them himself. The Devon schools were thrilled to receive envelopes covered with Ethiopian stamps.

Gobena was an invaluable contact for us in Nekemte. He was kind and considerate, always there to meet us on arrival and did his utmost to ensure our visits ran smoothly, organising hotel stays and travel within the area.

He will be very greatly missed.

Penny Pullen