There are at least six Eritrean communities Saturday Supplementary Schools in different parts of London. These schools teach different Eritrean mother tongues to children of various age groups. These languages include Tigrinya, Arabic, Saho, Tigre and Bilen. These schools also provide lessons of other subjects like mathematics and English.

Gheez Rite Supplementary School is one of these schools and was established in 1993. It is situated in the Western Part of London and a walking distance from Ladbroke Grove tube station. This school is based at a mainstream secondary school by renting four classrooms for various age groups ranging from the youngest aged four to teenagers aged 15. In this school alone, there are about 100 children attending Tigrinya and Mathematics lessons and four employed teachers including the Director of the School Father Kidane. Additionally these teachers are supported by volunteers who also happen to be parents to some of these children. The parents are organised and represented by a committee composed of four parents.

Lessons begin at 11:00 am and end at 2:00 pm with a half hour lunch break in between. Children bring their packed lunch and drinks and have their meals after saying a short prayer. At 2:00 pm children go to the play ground to play games and socialise until 3:00 pm when their parents come to pick them up.

The playtime period is by far the most favourite for all the children and parents usually have to wait patiently till it is way past 3:00 pm before their children eventually agree to leave the playground. The bonding process that takes place amongst these children is wonderful.

On the last Saturday of each term, parents and children gather for the closing ceremony where the children perform in front of their parents and teachers. These performances include plays, songs, dance and talent shows. During summer holidays, the Parents Committee of the school organises a trip for both children and their parents to a sea side destination. This year we the parents committee would like to make it more exciting for our children by visiting a well popular holiday resort in the UK known as Butlins at Bognor Regis on Saturday 18/07/09.

During the various national holidays and events such as the Independence Day Celebrations and Sports Day at the Finsbury Park and the UK Festival, our children are organised into three football teams and we are proud to announce that one of our teams has for three consecutive events been the champion.

I would like to take this opportunity to call upon all parents and carers who live in London to enrol their children in Gheez Rite Supplementary School or the other schools in different parts of London. The benefits to our children's holistic development are phenomenon and the bonding process that takes place amongst our children is amazing. Also, life long friendships are in the making.

If you would like to seek enquiries about Gheez Rite Supplementary School please contact Father Kidane using this telephone number 07961282267.