To cover the school fees for a poor child...

You can invest in an Ethiopian child's education and help a poor rural family by paying the school fees to enable their son or daughter to attend Empress Mentewab School.

For the 2010-11 academic year, fees will be 5,000 birr per child (£250, 280 euros, $400).

An easy way to send the money for the school fees is by SWIFT international bank transfer using the following bank details:

Bank: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
Address: International Banking Division, PO Box 255, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Branch: Debark
Account Number: 96 (this may be written as 00000096)
Account Name: Empress Mentewab School
SWIFT Code: CBETETAA
IBAN: none

If you are a UK resident and/or UK tax payer, you may prefer to pay through the UK-registered charity called Link Ethiopia, which helps schools in Ethiopia. Not only will you be spared bank charges, but Link Ethiopia will also be able to reclaim Gift Aid where this is applicable. The tax reclaimed will go towards Link Ethiopia's overheads (including covering bank charges incurred when transferring funds to Ethiopia), not to Empress Mentewab School. Link Ethiopia regularly sends funds to its Gondar office and school fees for Empress Mentewab School will be forwarded from there to the school's bank account in Debark. See the LINKS section for the Link Ethiopia website which has full details about the ways in which donations and school fees can be made. When you pay school fees via Link Ethiopia, please make it clear that the payment is for Empress Mentewab School.

Alternatively, the following money transfer companies work with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia: Western Union, Atlantic, EMT, Birritu Express, Alante Financial Services (Aryas Micro Finance), and Xpress Money.

Please e-mail Kate to let her know that you are sending the school fees, and whether you prefer to help a boy or a girl.

Kate will let you know the name of the child whose school fees you have paid and she will send you a receipt. together with a copy of the bank credit advice showing the birr received (if applicable).

In July 2011 you will receive a copy of the pupil's school report, a school newsletter and a photograph of the assisted child.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!