EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE I MEMORIAL FOUNDATION IN ETHIOPIA
WHAT DOES THE FOUNDATION IN ETHIOPIA DO?
Since its founding, EHSIMF (formerly known as the Emperor Haile Selassie I Memorial Association) has supported hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students across Ethiopia. The students have been enrolled in 20 public universities and in a variety of fields of study. EHSIMF has relied on the generosity of individuals like you, who support the Emperor’s legacy and wish to further his life-long goal of increasing the number of educated Ethiopians and improving the quality of education in Ethiopia. EHSIMF has particularly sought to support students from economically and socially marginalized groups as well as encourage the education of women and the physically disabled. EHSIMF’s support has been critical for many of these scholars, helping them pursue and complete their education.
Recent university graduates supported by EHSIMF
Hear from some of our students
Testimonials
I was born in Wollo Sirina zone in Amhara State. I completed my elementary school while living with my parents. When I reached seventh grade my parents divorced, and I started living with my grandmother. I passed my high school entrance exam and I started working as a day laborer at the Wollo University construction site. I saved enough money to cover my high school expenses. I passed the University entrance exam with high grades and was assigned to Addis Ababa University. The money I had saved from working as a day laborer helped me cover my transport and other expenses to go to Addis Ababa and start my studies. But the money I had saved soon ran out and I did not have money to buy essential goods like sanitary napkins. I was by then at the Black Lion Hospital studying to become a mid-wife when I received the scholarship from EHSIMF. This enabled me to meet my basic necessities and I continued my studies without any problem. Prior to getting the scholarship, I had begun to doubt that I would be able to finish college. Fortunately, I was able to complete my studies and with the good grades I had obtained I was able to get a job. I want to thank EHSIMF for its support.
- Yeshi-Berhan Negga
I come from the North Gondar zone in Amhara State. My father died when I was one and a half years old. I have eight siblings. I managed to finish my elementary schooling with the help of friends and relatives. I passed the high-school entry exam with good grades, but I was forced to leave home to attend the nearest high school as there were no high schools in my district. Since I did not have any financial support, I earned what little money I could to enable me to attend high school by cleaning classrooms and by going to the field and working on farms during school breaks. I completed my high school and passed the University entrance exam and was assigned to Semera College. This however posed a great challenge -- the university was far, and I needed money for my transport and other essentials. My mother borrowed some money, but this was only sufficient for my transport. After entering the University, my condition only got worse. I did not have any money. My friends lent me what little money they could. One day I saw a notice from EHSIMF and applied for a scholarship but as I did not get an immediate response I went home with money borrowed from my friends for my transport. EHSIMF then sent me 3360 birr as scholarship support. I was overjoyed. I paid all my debts and the money that my mother had borrowed for me. The rest I used for my transport and my clothes. I would not have returned to the University if EHSIMF had not provided me the support. Because of EHSIMF I have continued my studies. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Association and its members. Please continue with your work and support – you are saving a generation from becoming destitute.
- Gize Alewe Birhan
I was born in Debre Genet region in Tigrai State. As my mother was often ill, my brother took the responsibility of paying for my education. He went to Benishangul State to work and sent me money to enable me to complete my elementary and secondary education. I passed the University Entrance Exam and was assigned to Debre Berhan University. The money that my family was sending me was not adequate to cover my expenses and I had begun to wonder how I would be able to complete my college education. Fortunately, EHSIMF gave me a scholarship and this encouraged me to do better in school and graduate with honors. I hope that EHSIMF will continue to provide such scholarships to high-achieving students, but with limited means, to enable them to complete their college education. I hope that other students will benefit from such support as I did.
- Mebrehit Mewcha
More from our students
Student beneficiaries of EHSIMF Scholarships
Mamush Maja Maldaye
Mamush Maja Maldaye was born in 1988 in Shato Kebele, Damot Pulassa Woreda of Wolayta Zone in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State to a farming family, and has two brothers and one sister. His parents farmed a small plot of land and had many challenges to support the education of their four children. After Mamush went to the Shato Preparatory school and scored high results in the University Entrance Exams, he joined the Wolayta Sodo University and studied Business and Economics. He graduated in 2019 with a BA degree in Economics with a cumulative GPA of 3.97.
Samrawit Geti Wasse
Samrawit Getie Wasse was born in Jabi Tehinan Woreda, West Gojjam Zone in Amhara Regional State. She was raised by a widowed mother who raised two sons and four daughters on a very limited income earned from farming. Samrawit attended Jiga Secondary School and earned high marks in the University Entrance Exams. She joined the Wolayta Sodo University to study Agro-Economics, and graduated in 2019 with a BA and a cumulative GPA of 3.37.
Takele Shibabaw Felate
Takele Shibabaw Felate was born in Benesh of Bullen Woreda, Metekel Zone in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State into a farming family. He and his two brothers and four sisters were orphaned young, and Takele struggled to pursue his education amid much hardship. He worked seasonal jobs and as a day laborer to support himself and his siblings. He graduated from Assossa University with a BA in Sociology and a Cumulative GPA of 3.96
Burte Shalamo Shagana
Burte Shalamo Shagana was born in Toga Kebele, Arba-gona Woreda of Sidama Zone. She was orphaned young and has three brothers and three sisters. She attended public high school in Arbe-gona town, and qualified to join Addis Ababa University. She earned a BA in Arabic Language and Literature and a Cumulative GPA of 3.
Amare Getachew Alemu
Amare Getachew Alemu was born in the city of Bahir Dar of Amhara Regional State to farming parents who had three sons and two daughters. Amare is visually impaired, yet he attended Fasilo General Secondary School and earned extremely high marks in the University Entrance Exams. He joined Debre Birhan University to study Civics and Ethical Studies and graduated with a BA and a Cumulative GPA of 3.17.
Muwaba Sefa Shehal
Muwaba Asefa Shehal was born in Shurmo Kebele, of Hadiya Zone of the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State. She was born into a farming family and has four brothers. She attended Wolayta Sodo Preparatory School and achieved high results in her University Entrance Exams. She has now graduated from Dilla University with a BA in Civics and Ethical Studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.33