When Yeshy was twelve years old, her uncle took her from her home in the countryside of Ethiopia with a promise of school and a better life in Addis Ababa. That promise was a lie. She was sold by her uncle to a stranger and taken 200 kilometers in the opposite direction, to a small town in the Oromia region, where she was put to work in a local bar serving areke, a local grain alcohol, to customers. The smell was so overwhelming it sometimes made her sick. She was also sent i

Lelt Foundation’s Volo Computer Lab in Kara Kore has been equipping young people with digital skills since 2018. In 2025, we expanded that commitment with a new initiative in partnership with the Ethiopian government, bringing intensive web development training directly to local high school students. The third cohort of that program, 40 students from Repi High School, completed their three-month course on August 31, 2026, presenting their final project work at a culminating e

Tihitina and her children In February 2025, two women in our region arrived at Lelt’s offices with a specific request and a clear plan. Selam Assefa, 28, and Tihitina Fikre, 29, had identified a ten-month childcare training program at the nearby Alexander Early Education and Childcare Institute, and were determined to complete it. The one obstacle standing between them and enrollment was financial. Selam and her children Both women were raising two children independently, wit

Meron Tadele, in 2024 Meron Tadele was born and raised in Kara Kore, Addis Ababa, the eldest child of Tadele Dendena and Meseret Girma. Growing up, her parents worked hard to provide for the family, stretching limited resources to give Meron and her younger brother Yonatan the best start they could. For her early years, that even meant private kindergarten. But financial instability eventually brought Meron to public school for first through fifth grades. Meron, age 9, with h

Mekdes Bedilu grew up in a humble family on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As the youngest of four children, she witnessed both the joys and hardships of growing up in a family struggling to make ends meet. Her parents worked hard, but limited resources made it difficult to guarantee that all four children could continue their education. Mekdes, age 12 at Lelt's community center That changed in November 2013, when sixth grader Mekdes joined Lelt Foundation’s programs

It was a public school teacher who first saw something in Yohannes Hussein. He was in second grade at Repi Japan School in Addis Ababa – a bright kid in a crowded classroom, with limited family resources and no obvious path forward. His teacher pulled him aside and recommended him to Lelt Foundation. That referral would change his life. Yohannes, left, with friend Melaku at Lelt's Center. 2016. That was 2015. Yohannes was ten years old. Today, at 21, he is a second-year IT st

Zeritu Melak, CPU College Web Development & Coding Zeritu's road to college wasn't linear. Separated from her family as a child and raised at Kechene Orphanage, she left school in sixth grade to support herself, first as a housemaid, then as a waitress. However, she soon realized that education was her only true road to a different life. With a renewed commitment, Zeritu returned to the classroom. Today, she is excelling in Web Development at CPU College. Her vision blends th

Growing up on the outskirts of Addis Ababa in Kara Kore, Balami Alemu faced a childhood shaped by hardship. Raised without a father, she depended entirely on her mother, Tilaye, an unskilled factory worker doing everything she could to survive. Even the most basic needs – food, school supplies, and consistent access to education –were often out of reach. Balami, age 9 In 2014, following the advice of a concerned neighbor, Tilaye walked into the Lelt Foundation in search of so

At just 15 years old, facing the weight of family financial struggles in Kara Kore, Ethiopia, Sintayehu "Santa" Solomon took a leap of faith that would change her life forever. In 2018, she walked into the Lelt Foundation compound on her own initiative, seeking a path toward a brighter future. What began as a brave step for an 8th-grade student turned into years of learning and growth. With Lelt’s support, Santa excelled through her primary and secondary education. Today, she

Our partners in Ethiopia have started the year with strong momentum. Here are a few highlights from the field: Anchor Ethiopia Earlier this month, Anchor Ethiopia hosted a joyful community celebration honoring students’ academic achievements and reflecting on the progress made throughout 2025. Students were recognized for their dedication and hard work, a meaningful moment that highlighted how access to consistent educational and family support can translate into real academ

This year, your support made a significant difference for Lelt's communities in Ethiopia! Together, we advanced programs that expand opportunity, strengthen families, and support long-term stability. Here is a snapshot of what we accomplished in 2025: Supporting Education for a Brighter Future Education is the most powerful driver of long-term success among Lelt's students. In 2025, our Scholarship Program provided tuition and school supplies for nearly two hundred students i

When Yosef Asmare joined Lelt 12 years ago, he was just seven years old – quiet, curious, and already showing signs of uncommon academic ability. What he lacked were the resources and stability to match his potential. Yosef, in 2013 at Lelt's community center Yosef grew up in Kara Kore, Ethiopia, raised by his mother, Abebech. After the death of her husband, she worked tirelessly to keep the family afloat while making sure Yosef and his sister stayed in school. Despite her te

As we begin the Ethiopian New Year 2018, Lelt remains dedicated to working with local partners to support students and families striving for a dignified life. With global support systems strained, Lelt’s focus on education, economic independence, and well-being is more vital than ever. Through partnerships with Anchor Ethiopia , Open Future Ethiopia (OFE), and the Salu Self-Help Blind and Handicapped Association , Lelt looks forward to a year filled with new opportunities fo

These University students have been in our programs since they were in grade school At Lelt Foundation, we believe education is the most...

Bemnet grew up in the Ethiopian countryside in a humble farming family. As a child, she spent her days herding cattle, fetching water,...

Amarech was raised in Arba Minch, a town in southern Ethiopia. As she grew older, her parents recognized her academic strengths and...

In the heart of Karakore — a vibrant yet struggling neighborhood on the outskirts of Addis Ababa — lives nine-year-old Mintesinot Gashaw,...

Meaza Gebre at Kotebe University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia In 2023, Lelt scholar Meaza Gebre graduated in the top 2% of her class and was...

Fifteen years ago, Elsa and Abraham* fell in love and built a life together in Ethiopia. They married and had three children, working odd...

Getahun Fikadu has been a Lelt scholar since he was in grade school. His journey has been anything but easy. Raised by a resilient single...