The Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School was invited by Mayor Muriel Bowser to be part of the first ever mayoral trade/exchange mission delegation from Washington, DC to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from November 8 – 13, 2019. Mayor Bowser and Mayor Takele Uma Banti (Addis Ababa) renewed the Sister City Agreement that exists between the two cities. The Carlos Rosario School delegation, was comprised of CEO, Allison Kokkoros, Alelign Dessie, Student Success Coordinator, and Mama Tutu, Board Member and Ethiopian Community leader. Delegates of this trade/diplomatic mission experienced Ethiopian culture, history, made meaningful business to business connections, and were part of the educational partnership signed by the Carlos Rosario School and the Catering and Technical Training Institute in Addis Ababa.

True to its mission, the Carlos Rosario School seized the opportunity to solidify its support towards the Ethiopian community by creating an educational partnership with the Catering and Technical Training Institute (CTTI), an institute that provides hospitality education in Addis Ababa and beyond. Both institutions began the work of identifying the priorities for this partnership, which include benefitting CTTI’s trainees with English language skills so they are better equipped and set up for success in their local hospitality and tourism fields, with the ultimate goal of obtaining family sustaining employment.

The signing of the agreement at a restaurant named Cavelli’s, which has many graduates working in the facility, was the culmination of the visit and Mayor Bowser was truly moved by this agreement and the overall time spent in Ethiopia.  The Mayor, the Carlos Rosario School and the other delegation members will be the impetus that will make the Addis Ababa/DC sister city agreement come to life. The agreement with CTTI is part of the school’s Puentes/Bridges Program.  The program allows for the school to develop agreements with schools abroad that represent the backgrounds of the  student body and similar learning.  It also serves as a catalyst for the school to better understand the student body. The program is made possible by supporters and donors to the Carlos Rosario School.