Ethiopians living in Kenya gathered this Saturday at the Ethiopian Embassy residence to celebrate two significant events: the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the beginning of the Ethiopian New Year 2018, based on the Ethiopian calendar.
The GERD is a large hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile. It has become a symbol of national pride, unity, and independence. What makes this achievement especially noteworthy is that the dam was built without external loans or foreign funding. It was funded through the collective contributions of Ethiopians both at home and abroad. Members of the Ethiopian community in Kenya raised more than USD 700,368 over the past 14 years, showing their strong commitment to the project and their country.
During the celebration in Nairobi, community leaders stressed that the dam represents not just an engineering success, but also a symbol of independence and collaboration. “This is the fruit of the Ethiopian people’s resilience,” one participant said, emphasizing how ordinary citizens became part of their country’s future by contributing to the construction fund.
The event featured celebration , gratitude and reflections on the significance of the GERD for Ethiopia’s future. Once fully operational, the dam is expected to generate over 6,000 megawatts of electricity. This will help industrial growth, create jobs, and provide power to millions of households across Ethiopia and potentially beyond.
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The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the approach of Ethiopian New Year 2018, which starts on Meskerem 1 (September 11 in the Gregorian calendar). The timing of these two milestones brought a unique sense of joy and renewal, blending cultural traditions with a feeling of national progress.
For Ethiopians in Kenya, the celebrations highlighted their strong connections to their homeland and their pride in being part of this important moment in history. The GERD is now Africa’s largest dam and a lasting symbol of what can be achieved through unity and determination.
