A new beginning for Diaspora: AYAA set a record of attendance and fund raised.

Washington DC May 30, 2010(Aigaforum) - The Atse Yohannes Alumni Association (AYAA) since its inception has been holding its annual get together every year in the month of May. May also is a historic month for Ethiopians! The repressive Mengistu Hailemariam government was defeated on May 20^th 1990! Ethiopia also holds its national election in the month of May. Infact Ethiopia just concluded a historic fourth election a week ago.

Washington DC is home to tens of thousands of Ethiopians. The opposition in Diaspora has been exploiting the large number of Diaspora in Washington DC for no good reason for a while now. Over the years the silent Diaspora has been giving deaf ear to these worthless oppositions and every call they made be it boycotting of Ethiopian airlines or enjera has been a failure.

On May 29, 2010 Washington DC set a new record and started a new trend. People have started to do good and be part of the renaissance movement underway. Over a 1000 people attended this year’s AYAA’s grand party. The gala was full of energy and enthused people. People were talking about the historic election. The association raised over 50 thousand US dollars and according to organizers the hall was over crowded and every event including a day long cruise tickets were sold out.

AYAA in its short history has contributed to the wellness of the Alma mature school. The Atse Yohannes elementary school in the middle of the City has now a modern stone fence built by the generous contribution of members and supporters. The association current project is to build a library and according to the organizers all funds raised will go to this project.

Aigaforum salutes AYAA for a successful event and wishes all other alumni associations and development groups from Diaspora similar success. Ethiopians in millions have voted in favor of development oriented EPRDF. Our people back home have been telling us in no uncertain terms that they wish to disinherit poverty. The next generation is now ready to lead Ethiopia to prosperity. Let us heed their call.