A warm welcome is extended to those of you who are considering joining or are already a member of the AICS community. For those of you who are not yet part of the AICS community, as you prepare to come to Eritrea, this site will give you some basic information about Asmara and the school that should prove useful now and after you arrive. Do feel free to contact the school should you need a more complete answer or additional information.

 

 

AICS opened in October 1994, with a small group of students in a room in a parent’s home. The school quickly grew out of that villa and soon began renting space from the Coca-Cola plant in the Expo area. In 1998, the school moved to its current location which it rents from the Lutheran Church. The church originally built the building to serve as a school.

 

From 1998-2000, the school’s enrollment dropped and increased several times with the total number being around 40 students in December 2000. Peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia was signed in December 2000, and soon after the enrollment began to steadily increase to an enrollment of over 145 students from at least 25 nations.

 

Following some decisions by local and international governments, the foreign community shrank and along with that change came a smaller, more local student body. At the end of school year 2008/2009, the student population was 110 from eighteen different nations.

 

During the Summer of 2009, and then again in October of the same year, two local schools following an international style curriculum had issues. One closed completely while the other closed its middle school division. The result for AICS was an influx of sixty students bringing the student total to about 170 with approximately 70% being Eritrean. A total of fifteen nationalities are represented altogether. As part of the recent change, we have also added children from a number of embassies and NGO’s not represented in the immediate past.

 

A 7-member Board of Governors governs the school; five are elected from the parent body by the Association of which parents and teachers are members, while the U.S. Embassy and the United Nations appoint one each. Board members are elected for two-year terms.

 

Currently, the faculty and staff consists of 14 full-time and 2 part-time teachers, 4 full-time teacher assistants, a Director, Deputy Director, Business Manager, Administrative Assistant, Receptionist, Secretary, Maintenance Man, 3 Custodians, and 5 Security Guards.

 

 

E-MAIL/INTERNET:

Internet is available for students and teachers at the school. Student can access the Internet in the computer lab (20 computers), while teachers use their classroom desktop computers or the school’s WiFi connection.  WARNING: Almost all Internet access in Eritrea is slow. Connections will not allow the use of Skype or other VOIP telephone services.

 

 

 

WALKING: 

Most everyone walks in Asmara and you will find that most everything is within walking distance. Once you get your bearings, you can walk anytime day or night to shop, eat, enjoy a cappuccino, or just for the exercise. Asmara is a very safe city, crime is minimal, and you will find that Asmara is unlike anyplace else.

 

TAXIS:

Taxis are very reliable and plentiful. Taxis do not use meters. There are two types of taxis:           

·         Line Taxis: These run a regular route and pick up and drop off people along the way. Line taxis cost 5 Nakfa per person and four people are permitted.

·         Contract Taxis: A contract taxi is yours for the ride and will not stop to pick up other people. These taxis will take you anywhere you wish to go in the city. The price is around 50 Nakfa.

 

OTHER TYPES OF TRANSPORT:

 

Bicycles, used by thousands of people in Asmara, are probably the most popular form of transport after walking.

 

Buses run on regular routes and are about 1 Nakfa. Buses run from about 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and only on the main thoroughfares. Although there are lots of buses, they typically include a large number of riders.

 

Cars here are extremely expensive due to import duties and taxes. Used cars are also expensive as there is more demand for cars than there are cars available. Gasoline and diesel fuel are available, but are rationed by the government and are VERY expensive. A nice car here that is 10 years old could be as much as $8,000-10,000. 

 

 

 

RECREATION:

There are movie theaters in Asmara, but generally movies are not in English, instead they are in Italian or Tigrinya. There is a public library, as well as a British Council Library, an American Library, and the Alliance Francaise.

 

There are several groups that meet. The International Women’s Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Various church groups and others welcome foreigners.

 

There are many restaurants in Asmara, however most of them fall into a few categories. Very good Italian food is readily available, ranging from pasta to brick-oven pizza. Local food is also found all over the city and includes injera, which is a fermented pancake that is used to eat stewed meats and vegetables. Additionally there are many fast food restaurants that serve sandwiches. Apart from these three major categories, there is one Chinese restaurant, an Indian restaurant, and a Lebanese restaurant.

 

BARS:

Many bars in Asmara are coffee bars. Cappuccino, macchiato, and espresso are a large part of the Eritrean culture. Some bars do serve alcohol as well. A cappuccino is about .50 US. A locally produced Asmara beer is around15 Nakfa.

 

HEALTH CLUBS:

Many Eritreans are interested in physical fitness and there are several ‘gyms’ around town, which are very inexpensive, clean, and relatively well equipped.

 

BOOKS:

There are some books in English available, but these are very limited in selection. A used bookstore downtown has a decent selection. We suggest that the avid or discriminating reader bring books with them. Time, Newsweek, The Economist, and Business Week are available in several bookshops each Saturday/Sunday and range from $1.50 to $3.00.

 

Travel guides, such as the Lonely Planet on Eritrea, have good information about places to see, culture, and customs.

 

MUSIC/VIDEO:

Both are available but the selection is not what you might be accustomed to. While the selection is random, it is possible to rent and purchase DVDs.

 

TRAVEL:

If you want to, you can travel to certain places in Eritrea by rental car, taxi, or bus. However since June 2006, you must request an in-country travel permit from the government 10 days in advance of your travel outside the city of Asmara. Keren and Massawa are common places to visit and both have hotels. 

 

The airlines that fly into Asmara at present are: Lufthansa, Egypt Air, Eritrean Air, Nas Air and Yemenia. Destinations from Asmara are Frankfurt, Cairo, Nairobi, Sana’a, Dubai, Khartoum, Rome, Juba and Jeddah. From these airports, you should be able to connect to anywhere you need to go.

 

SHOPPING:

There are sports, leather, handicrafts, gold and silver, ceramics, sweater, shoes, and clothing shops in Asmara. Shopping is usually done in small privately owned shops which have rather limited products. There are no malls or major supermarkets and so, shopping is often done from one small store to the next. Another option is to go to the various open-air markets around town.   

 

 

 

CLOTHING:

Even though this is Africa and we are not far from the equator, we are living at more than 7500 ft (2300m). The climate here is wonderful year round. May is the hottest month when the temperature averages 80-90 F (26-32 C) during the day, and December is the coolest month when nighttime temperatures can drop to 32 F (0 C). Humidity is low year round. You will need clothes for quite a range, and layering is necessary as it can be cool in the early morning and late evening, but quite warm at midday. 

 

Conservative dress is recommended when in public. You will not find many foreigners in shorts or tank tops, but be sure to bring summer clothes for the health club or to wear to the home of friends for Saturday BBQ’s or evening parties. Bring swimming gear if you plan on joining the Asmara Palace health club, or if you plan to visit the beaches of Massawa or the Dahlak Islands.

 

If there is any way I can help answer questions or help calm family concerns, please don’t hesitate to:

 

291-1-16-17-05 (AICS)

 

 

We’re excited to have you join AICS and we look forward to a long and rewarding time together.

 

Paul Neary

Director

Asmara International Community School