The entire Gopsill family are passionate supporters of a foundation helping to build a school for children of disabled war veterans in Ethiopia (Rainbows4Children)

We have participated in 10 Annual fundraisers, and recently took-over the main organisation role.  These events typically raise around Sfr 60,000 for the school each year.

In 2013 we had the opportunity to visit the school, and participate in some art projects together with our younger daughter, and install a photovoltaic powered pump, to pump water for the orchard adjoining the school:  short video of PV installation – see 52 seconds point 

Overview of the foundation and school

Rainbows4children is an independent foundation set up in memory of Nicolas Robinson (son of the co-founder) and provides education for disadvantaged children in Ethiopia – primarily the children of adults with disabilities such as loss of limbs and blindness.

The project has involved construction of a unique school by Rainbows4children for the children of parents with disabilities in the region of Tigray and is now almost complete with more than 1000 children in education. In 2012 the Nicolas Robinson School delivered the highest academic results in the national end-of-year exams for 8th graders for all primary schools in the city of Mekele (more than 50 in total).

Rainbows4Children is currently in the project planning stage to build a Technical and Vocational Training College in Mekele on 40,000 m2 of land donated by the Mekele city authorities and owned by the TDVA. A boundary wall (1km in length) has been constructed prior to installation of the basic site infrastructure. Funds for this project will be raised from Foundations and Industrial partners who have an interest in supporting education and / or sustainable building techniques and technology.