ABOUT US

THE BA ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (BA) WAS ESTABLISHED ON JULY 22nd 2019 WITH REGISTRATION No: 4299 UNDER THE PROCLAMATION OF ORGANISATIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETIES 1113/2019 OF ETHIOPIA.

The Association is created by former students and faculty members of the Bible Academy secondary school in Adama town.

The former students have recollected the memorable experiences and values and have been deliberating to re-establish a school with similar values and focus. The Association was created with that as one of the goals.

HISTORY

The Bible Academy was a coeducational academic and commercial secondary school fully authorized by the Imperial Ethiopian Government's Ministry of Education and Fine Arts. On September 29, 1959, it began its first term of instruction. There were three girls and thirteen boys enrolled at the time, and there were only two teachers. Mr. Chester L. Wenger and Ato Daniel Lema were the first teachers.

The school was founded as a result of the efforts of many Mennonite missionary Americans and Ethiopians who saw the need for higher education for Christian youth.

In 1959, the school opened its doors in rented quarters in Nazareth. It felt more like a big family than a high school. It lacked the amenities that a typical high school requires, such as a library and a science lab. For their meals, the students went to the HMMM hospital. Despite the difficulties they faced, Mr. Wenger and Ato Daniel worked very well with what they had, and as a result, the academic progress the students made at the end of the year was very encouraging.

The Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, represented by the Mennonite Mission in Ethiopia, sponsored the academy. It was later administered by a board of education appointed by Meserete Kristos Church.

When the academy's second year of instruction began in 1960, it was relocated four kilometres southwest of Nazareth on the Wonji Road. New structures were constructed on a plot of land large enough to accommodate a playground, garden, and farm. The total number of students enrolled for the school year was 43, with 31 boys and 12 girls. Classrooms, dormitories for both boys and girls, a dining hall, and some staff houses were among the new structures. The academy continued to grow and develop over time.

In 1962, the first five graduates of the academy took the Ethiopian Leaving Certificate Examination. The result was not surprising because the candidates were adequately prepared for the exam. All five passed. The Bible Academy prepared many students for college entrance until its closure in 1982.

Today, BA graduates work in a variety of fields, serving their country as well as many other countries around the world. Engineers, medical doctors, businessmen, lawyers, teachers, and pastors are among the academy's existing graduates.

Our Mission is to Serve, Promote, Facilitate and Nurture.

The Bible Academy Alumni Association in partnership with the ad hoc committee of North America is dedicated to actively serve and collaborate with the BA Alumni Association established in Ethiopia, by promoting the vision, mission, and goals of the association. We are committed to facilitate communication among members as well as nurturing our relationships with alums around the globe through gatherings, when possible, and by virtual means.

Our mission is to educate all students to the highest levels of academic achievement, to enable them reach and expand their potential, prepare them to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative, and compassionate members of society.

We work:

to inspire & empower the youth.
to provide well-rounded education; and
to prepare a responsible, creative & thriving citizen in the Country

MISSION

VISION

Our vision is to develop well rounded, confident and responsible individuals who aspire to achieve their full potential by restoring and bring back the previous times of BA with its high academic standard and the social environment for young people to grow by looking at the present and envisioning tomorrow in education advances and aspire for them.

We will achieve this by providing a welcoming, happy, safe, and supportive learning environment in which everyone is equal, and all achievements are celebrated.

Vision for our youths in Ethiopia:

to ensure an equitable education opportunity.
to achieve full potential; and
to enable them to participate & contribute to society

We affirm the value of inclusive and human diversity that brings enrichment to our lives and those around us, and acknowledge our differences rejecting all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

The purpose of the Association is:

To develop and strengthen ties between Former Students of the Bible Academy
To support, strength and encourage education development, and
To facilitate education opportunities
To inspire and encourage young graduates in Ethiopia

Based on the purpose of BA Academy Alumni Association our values are:

Learning & Improving: continuous improvement for quality education with active, participatory, and practical learning.
Diversity & Inclusion: respecting diversity related to religion, ethnicity, social status, gender difference, etc. To promote special education needs we adhere to include all forms of disabilities.

To adhere to the above, we put emphasis on:

Respect: in tolerance, friendship, liberty, responsibility, equality & freedom.
Resilience: in perseverance, determination, optimism, self-esteem, courage.
Empathy: in kindness, happiness, compassion, caring, forgiveness, humility
Reflection: in curiosity, honesty, patience, engagement.

VALUES

ACTIVITIES

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