LELT on the Ground: How One Girl’s Self-Advocacy Shaped Her Future

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 is a dedicated second-year Business Management major at Admas University, with her tuition, transportation, and materials supported by Lelt.

"Lelt Foundation played — and is still playing — a great role in improving my livelihood," Santa shares. "They sponsor my study, provide academic materials, and even pocket money to cover unexpected expenses."

Beyond the classroom, Sintayehu discovered a hidden passion: music. Through the partnership at Lelt’s community center with MusicGiveLife, she spent seven years honing her singing craft under the guidance of two nurturing teachers.  Santa’s music instructors opened opportunities for her through the years by introducing her to other musicians in the Ethiopian music pop world.  Through her dedication and hard work, Santa’s dream came true. At the start of 2026, with the stage name “Santa Solomon”, she released her first music video titled “አትመጣም ወይ ?” ("Are You Not Coming?"). This accomplishment showcases not only her talent, but her resourceful ability to create a highly polished product with very little financial expense; a very desirable skill for a business major!

Santa’s success story is a powerful testament of the success achieved when hard work meets opportunity. She continues to balance her university studies with her musical ambitions, proving that with the right support, the sky is the limit.