​​Studio Samuel students are learning basic sewing skills in their occupational training class by sewing 500 menstrual kits, which they’ll distribute to girls who lack access to feminine hygiene supplies. In developing countries, this is one of the biggest contributors to girls dropping out of school.
 
Last year, the girls celebrated International Day of the Girl (Oct 11) by visiting schools in the rural area and distributing 250 kits to girls in need. Because of the program’s success, there’s now a waiting list at 16 schools! The girls are working hard to double last year’s impact and reach 500 girls this year.
 
It’s with many thanks to The White Feather Foundation and their supporters for spearheading this initiative last year by providing supplies, including new sewing machines.   #IDG2017

Her Profile: Not yet 18yrs old, lost both parents at a young age, has transitioned between homes of extended family, and has known poverty her entire life.

Beyond her Profile: A shining light who believes in herself, sees the harsh reality of her future if she remains stagnant and has therefore committed herself to education to change her world.
This drive and determination landed her in a Global Young Leaders Competition. She’s one of 50 students to secure a seat at the table from over 3,000 applicants around the world.
It’s likely she was the only applicant working on her case study by candlelight during power outages and facing loss of internet while conducting required online research for the competition. Between school and her workload at home, she was already putting in 12+ hour days, yet she met application deadlines by finding another 5-6 hours after others went to sleep each night. Or, she would slip away to our computer lab under the guise of running household errands because education for girls is not supported in her home.
A case study was required of each applicant; highlighting a need in his or her community and finding a solution. As she progressed through each stage of the competition, her uncertainty turned to hope. She began embracing the idea that her voice mattered, her work mattered and that she actually had a shot of winning. Her proposal to tackle infrastructure in a community so divided by rich and poor was noticed. Not only noticed, but selected – by experts in their field. Her case study was deemed both feasible and vital to her community. She WON!

She was offered an all-expenses paid trip, which would be chaperoned by our Country Director, ensuring her safe travels to and from the US and offering general assistance along the way. At the one week long US retreat, she would share her case study with the 50 other winners and be matched with a mentor and key group of young leaders whom she would work with remotely over the course of the next year. During this period, the teams would be implementing their case studies within their communities around the globe while remaining in touch.

She was offered an all-expenses paid trip, which would be chaperoned by our Country Director, ensuring her safe travels to and from the US and offering general assistance along the way. At the one week long US retreat, she would share her case study with the 50 other winners and be matched with a mentor and key group of young leaders whom she would work with remotely over the course of the next year. During this period, the teams would be implementing their case studies within their communities around the globe while remaining in touch.

Logistics were in place; including passport in hand, her agenda with the U.S. Studio Samuel team and her visa appointment was scheduled. Knowing this would be no easy task, we secured letters of support from key community members, the competition organizers and more.

It was the day of her visa appointment and at 3amEST, my What’sApp message came through from our Country Director. I heard the notification and butterflies swirled in my stomach before opening my eyes. This was it. This meant they had left the US Embassy in Ethiopia and were issued a decision. A girl’s future rested on securing this visa and I didn’t know if I was prepared for the outcome.

“She was denied. We are both very, very sad.” It ripped me apart inside.

No US retreat. No year-long leadership program. She will not meet colleagues who will become lifelong friends. She will not have a mentor to guide her through the crucial years of teen to young woman.  She won’t be there to share her case study that would have created great impact for her community.

Looking at all she gained through the application process, soaking in every experience like a sponge, I don’t doubt for one moment this strong young woman would have broken her cycle of poverty – and that of a few community members – with this opportunity. She has overcome obstacles a young girl should never experience and because of her strong will, has made these challenges her motivators.

I suppose because of this, she will be fine but I don’t want to accept ‘fine’ for her. She is so much more.

Things are happening fast now, with passport in hand and a visa interview scheduled. She’s just been awarded the dream of a lifetime – to travel to the US and present her case study – the one she’s worked on so hard over the past six months.

Before school, during breaks and before bed each night, she made this project her purpose. She never imagined being selected from the thousands of applicants around the globe, but she wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass.

The barriers she faced in her past left her alone at a young age. Education was always her go-to safe place and ironically, she’s now under guardianship by someone who sees girls’ education as futile. Never losing sight that education is her pathway to an independent future, this competition offered the window of hope and fire she needed to keep going.

It’s a platform for young people around the world to recognize a challenge in their community. Applicants devise a plan that addresses the challenge, based on data and research relevant to their community. Those with the strongest case studies have been selected to present in the US to a group of entrepreneurs, successful professionals and a mentoring group. The latter will be working alongside her for the next year as she implements her winning project into her community in Ethiopia.

The response she’s received from other Studio Samuel students, their families and those in our community, has been inspiring and so moving. It is them who will also feel the impact of her hard work.

100 girls at Studio Samuel are now certified in HIV/AIDS awareness and the first class of 25 agreed to an HIV test! The power of communication and knowledge are breaking down a long-lived stigma.

Many in our community suffer from HIV/AIDS, including girls’ caregivers, family members, teachers, shopkeepers, friends and more. It’s become a normal part of their world, yet one that is rarely discussed, often due to the stigma associated with being HIV positive. Being tested is an even bigger challenge.

One goal within our healthcare program is to chip away at that stigma. The plan is two-fold and starts with communication. Let’s get people talking about HIV, starting with the younger generation. An open dialogue in a safe environment with skilled professionals from within the community has been a great first step. This is followed by participants understanding the benefits of being tested, the second step.

OSSHD nurses and team members have certified all 100 students at our training center throughout 2016, wrapping up the final group last weekend. The first 25 girls will receive an HIV test this weekend. YES, each girl from that class is being tested. None declined! This is the power of communication and knowledge. In closing, steps are in place for any student testing positive, including counseling, treatment and more. There will be no images shared from next week’s testing. Pictures shared here are from our general certification training.

Healthcare has been at the core of our programming since the beginning. Through the support of The White Feather Foundation and Ethiopia Healthcare Network, we’re now aligned with one of the most reputable organizations in Ethiopia for AIDS awareness – OSSHD (Org for Social Services Health & Development).