Lelt On The Ground: Balami's Story

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 something she could not provide on her own: a real chance at a different future for her 9-year-old daughter.

What began as an urgent intervention for a second-grade student became a sustained partnership that would change the course of Balami’s life. With Lelt’s consistent support, she was able to remain in school and begin to focus on her future.

Balami, right, with school friends

“Lelt provided me with tuition, school supplies, and daily meals,” Balami recalls. “My mother struggled to meet even our basic needs. Without that support, I don’t know where I would be.”

The Path to Professional Success

Balami, far right, attended private High School in Kara Kore, Ethiopia

Balami’s childhood journey is defined by persistence. Through elementary, middle, and high school, she remained deeply committed to her education despite the pressures surrounding her. In a country where nearly half of girls leave school by age 12, her path alone is extraordinary.

She became the first in her family to attend college.

Balami, left, with college friend

With continued support from the Lelt Foundation, covering tuition, transportation, and essential living expenses, Balami enrolled at Admas University, turning what once felt impossible into reality. That stability allowed her to focus fully on her studies and build a future beyond survival.

Today, Balami holds a degree in Marketing Management. She is currently working at a stationery store while preparing to interview for opportunities in her field.

Her achievement represents more than a personal milestone; it is a powerful example of what happens when someone has both drive and opportunity. In her community, she now stands as a role model for younger students, especially girls, who are navigating the same challenges she once faced.

Balami’s story is a reminder that potential may be universal, but access is not. With the right support, students like Balami don’t just succeed, they lead.