From day one of opening its doors, 960 students enrolled in this new high school in Kereda community which is situated 497 kms south of Addis Ababa in the Amaro District of Segen Area People's Zone. Amaro is one of the 133 Districts in the Southern Nations Nationalities and People's Regional State and with a population of just under 140,000 was identified as an area much in need of new educational facilities and investment.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy here, a source of employment for many and subsistence for most of the inhabitants. Coffee is the main cash crop grown alongside Enset (false banana), maize, wheat, barley and beans.
The Costa Foundation identified the need for a high school here back in 2014 as research uncovered that there were 31 First Cycle (infant) schools, 11 Second Cycle (junior) schools but only 2 high schools within the 1,597 square kilometre District. Up until the opening of Kereda High School; 90% of students dropped out of education once they'd completed their 2nd Cycle lessons, not for lack of desire to further their education; but through lack of high school facilities.
8 fully furnished classrooms and a well-stocked library were opened at the special "Partners Day" celebration on the 18th November 2015, a wonderful day enjoyed by all.