መንገዷ | Her Path
- Her Path, Her Power
- May 15
- 4 min read
A monthly spotlight on girls overcoming barriers
Menbere's Journey: Avoiding Early Marriage
Menbere is just 14 years old, but her courage reads like that of someone far beyond her years.
Born in Wollo, a mountainous region in the Amhara area of Ethiopia, Menbere grew up in a small village where life moved slowly, but traditions often moved faster than a girl's dreams. From an early age, she valued school. She remembers walking long distances with other children to get to class, carrying her notebooks close to her chest to keep them safe from the dust and occasional rain. Her favorite subjects were always science and biology—subjects that made her feel curious, excited, and hopeful.
Her home life, however, was unstable. After her parents divorced, she lived with her mother and stepfather, along with four half-sisters and one half-brother. Money was always tight. Love was conditional. Still, Menbere found comfort in the routine of school and the friendships she built there.
That all changed when, at the age of 12, her mother told her that she was to be married.
Menbere recalls that moment clearly. She had just returned home from school when her mother sat her down and said, “You’re old enough now to marry and start your own family. The elders are coming next week to make the arrangements.”
That single sentence threatened to undo everything Menbere had dreamed of. Her heart raced. Her thoughts blurred. But one thing was clear—she couldn’t stay.
That night, while the house was quiet, she made a decision that would alter the course of her life: she would run away to Addis Ababa.
She contacted her uncle, the only relative she believed would listen to her. He lived in the capital city and had always encouraged her education when they spoke during rare family visits. Though he agreed to take her in, she knew this would be no fairytale ending. But it was her only chance to continue her education and escape a life that wasn’t hers to choose.
Two years have passed since Menbere left Wollo. She now lives with her uncle, his wife, and their child—four people under one small roof. Her uncle works long hours as a security guard, and his wife stays home to care for their son. Though they offered her a place to stay, the environment is far from stable. Her uncle has a quick temper and often yells at both his wife and Menbere. The household is filled with tension, and verbal abuse is a daily occurrence. Sometimes, without warning or cause, she becomes the target of his anger.
The emotional toll has been heavy. At her previous school in Wollo, Menbere consistently ranked among the top students in her class. In Addis, she struggles to concentrate. The noise, the fear, the tension—none of it is conducive to learning. These days, she places between 10th and 20th in her class. Her academic confidence has been shaken, and her nights are filled with restless sleep.
There have been moments when she’s thought about leaving. Once, she even considered working as a maid just to escape the pressure at home. But something stops her every time.
“I love my education—that’s the only reason I’m staying,” she says through tears.
Fortunately, Menbere was introduced to Studio Samuel Girls Academy shortly after arriving in Addis. Through our Training for Tomorrow (TFT) program, she receives tutorial support, life skills training, and mentorship from female role models who have walked difficult roads themselves. Our counselors quickly identified the challenges she was facing and created a support system tailored to her needs.
She now participates in group counseling sessions, where she feels safe to share, listen, and learn. “Counseling helps me escape many problems,” she says. “It helps me get through hard times by sharing and hearing different ideas.”
Counseling isn’t the only part of the program where Menbere thrives. She is a committed participant in our embroidery classes, where she’s learning a valuable skill she can carry with her into adulthood. And through our karate sessions, she’s discovering a new kind of strength—both physical and emotional. There’s power in learning to stand tall, to protect herself, to breathe through fear.
But it is biology, her favorite subject, that reminds her most of why she started this journey.
Years ago, when her mother was pregnant, there was no access to proper medical care in their rural village. Menbere witnessed her mother give birth at home, relying only on traditional methods and the help of neighbors. It was a traumatic experience. She was scared her mother wouldn’t survive. That moment planted the seed of her dream—to become a doctor, so other families wouldn’t have to endure what hers did.
Today, that dream remains strong.
Even with the instability of her current living situation, Menbere shows up to school and Studio Samuel programming every week. She is quiet but focused. Disciplined. Grateful for every moment she gets to learn. Her trainers describe her as resilient and responsible—a girl who does not let her circumstances define her.
It’s not easy. She misses her younger siblings in Wollo. She sometimes questions if she made the right choice. But each time she steps into a classroom, she is reminded of what she’s fighting for. And each time she leaves Studio Samuel’s gates, she carries a little more strength with her.
We continue to work closely with Menbere, offering academic support, trauma-informed counseling, and community engagement to ensure she knows she’s not alone. Our team has connected her with other girls who have faced similar challenges—some fleeing forced marriages, others overcoming violence or poverty. Together, they form a sisterhood that believes in the power of education to rewrite a girl’s story.
Menbere’s story is not over. In many ways, it’s just beginning.
One book, one class, one day at a time.
Through Her Path, we share the real and resilient journeys of girls like Menbere who are navigating unthinkable obstacles to pursue education. To stand with girls like her, consider becoming a recurring donor to Studio Samuel. Your support provides counseling, school supplies, and a safe space to heal, learn, and lead.
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