Meaza's Story

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 accepted to Kotebe University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is currently studying history and education on a full government scholarship and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in law. Meaza’s future is full of promise, but a few months ago her family was struck by tragedy when her mother, Tsige, passed away suddenly from a stroke. Her death has been a devastating loss for Meaza, her three siblings, and their father. Tsige was not only deeply loved, but also the family's primary provider. Meaza’s father, Gebre, is blind and has struggled to find work that accommodates his disability.

Gebre & Meaza in 2013

Tsige and Gebre married 24 years ago and began raising their family in Karakore, a marginalized neighborhood on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Life was never easy — Gebre’s blindness and Tsige’s lack of formal education, having been kept home from school to care for siblings, made supporting their family extremely difficult. Gebre sold worship candles outside the local church, while Tsige sold grains and vegetables and operated a small laundry service. Despite their efforts, they faced chronic financial hardship and in 2013 began receiving assistance from Lelt in the form of food and household necessities. Additionally, Meaza was given academic tutoring support and resources.

In 2015, recognizing her exceptional talent, Lelt enrolled Meaza in a private school. She quickly rose to the top of her class. Eager to give back, she began tutoring younger students at Lelt’s community center. Regarding her enrollment at university, Meaza said, “Lelt is the reason I am going to college. I saw my potential as a hardworking student and realized I could break the cycle of poverty that has held my family back for generations. I encouraged my siblings to dream the same, and to focus on our mother's strength as we navigate our studies.”

Meaza with Gebre, 2025

Her younger sister, Tiru, recently received a scholarship to begin her undergraduate studies at Hawassa University last fall. These two young women are the pride and hope of their family, with promising futures ahead — but those futures are still years away. In the meantime, the loss of their mother has left the family in crisis.

"I saw my potential as a hardworking student and realized I could break the cycle of poverty that has held my family back for generations."

To help, Lelt’s team at the Karakore community center is launching a new initiative that creates dignified work opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through this program, Gebre will be able to safely produce household items in a supportive environment and once again earn an income. With the continued support of Lelt, Meaza’s family will regain stability and hope, even in the face of profound loss.

Meaza on Kotebe University campus