Meet Dr. Mehariw A. Semeneh, one of the recipients of Project Ethiopia’s University Transition Awards (UTAs) and learn how this award not only benefited him but provided a positive trajectory for his family as well.

Dagne and Emebet, residents of the Warkit kebele in Dangla, have no lack of words to describe how their new solar lantern provided by Project Ethiopia has made a significant difference in the quality of life for their family.

Work in the new year is well underway to bring new schools, safe water, dry homes, better sanitation, and farming support to communities throughout the Dangla area.

This past October, I had the privilege to travel to Dangla, meet the Project Ethiopia team, and visit many of our project sites. It was a quick and jam-packed week. From participating in the University Transition Awards ceremony within a couple of hours of our arrival, to witnessing the formation of two new farmers’ associations complete with a very lively nomination process to select the leadership, to visiting 10 schools helped by our project, I was so inspired by all that has been accomplished and the clear vision for what is yet to be done.

Imagine you begin your elementary school education in a small classroom with dirt floors and no desks. Parents from the village do their best to teach reading and writing, but only up to 3rd grade. Eventually a government-sponsored school for grades 1 – 8 with classrooms, desks, curricula, and teachers is built near your village. The pathway to high school is now possible where previously no such opportunity existed.