Dear Brother/Sister:

It is to be recalled that Tigrians of all walks of life are involved in promoting the development of our region. We are proud to say that we are never tired of dreaming and acting to uplift the livelihood and image of our people in everything we can. Hence we heartfully welcome the organization of Tigrians in their respective Alumni and Development Associations and contribute their share. Without a doubt, the Alumni and Development Associations of Tigrai are doing a superb job not only by helping the needy students of Tigrai and encourage them to do better but also by rebuilding the old and building new schools and libraries in Tigrai.

We believe that these Associations have proved successful in mobilizing resources, offer a social space and this speaks volumes about the agility of our compatriot Tigrians to act to the development of Tigrai in times of need. These Associations and its members deserve the credit for their commitment and for a job well done, but most of all, each and every one of us needs to realize that it is our responsibility to keep these Associations going forward and stay alive with full vibration. Hence we whole heartedly safeguard the presence of these Alumni and Development Associations.

While we are blessed to have many Associations that work and contribute to the betterment of Tigrai, it sometimes seems something is missing from that blessing. Yes, it is true we are more united than ever at the level of our school Alumni or Awraja Development Associations but as tigrians in general, our unity is in question. Now days, many tigrians including members of the Alumni and Development Associations are deeply concerned about the fact that our unity and solidarity as Tigrians is being compromised, not by the existence of the Associations, but only because of lack of a platform that brings us all together. This is a reality Tigrians of all walks of life share. We need a non-political platform that brings us all together regardless of our political belief so that our destiny as unified and strong people is guaranteed and our children inherit a better and united Tigrai.

Hence, we firmly believe that the existing Alumni and Development Associations have a huge responsibility to bring Tigrians together. It is high time that we act together now so that the already high expectations of our people are addressed. Accordingly, a few of us have created an opinion forum called “Tslal Tegaru” where we freely and voluntarily discuss this issue in depth so that we know how we should go about creating the platform. We highly encourage you to be members of the forum and forward your thoughts. You can subscribe to tslaltegaru-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and include yourself to the forum or you can send your e-mail address to tslaltegaru@yahoo.com and the moderator will include you to Tslal Tegaru Discussion forum.

So far, we are advocating a network of the existing Alumni and Development Associations that is absolutely free of political involvement and affiliation. We envision a network that is composed of these Associations, and that recognizes their independent existence, and endorses a bylaw that allows a free entry and exit to and from the network. Note that this network or Umbrella Organization is not to replace or diminish the current Alumni and Development Associations, nor it will have the control or authority over any of these Associations. Instead, it will help us to bring all Tigrians together, exchange ideas and experiences among the Associations, and plan a mutual project that will benefit us all equally.  Doing so will renew the unity and solidarity of all tigrians so that they deliberate their regional future in economy and social affairs without any restraint. In order for all tigrians regardless of their political stand to participate in this journey, we advocate that the network/Umbrella Organization be politics blind; and be dictated by our national interests in the development of our people.

Hence, this is to ask you participate in the forum and contribute what you think about the issue under discussion. We value every opinion you have with regard to the betterment of the life of our people back home, and we urge you champion your ideas. We created this forum counting on your and others ideas. Ideas are oxygen for development, so please don’t hold them back. Again, we can be contacted at tslaltegaru@yahoo.com

Thank you,

Tslal Tegaru Organizers