The 12-Year-Old Pioneer
“Merawit has been advising me to continue my education and she would say that by learning we will change our lives. She would encourage me.””
Merawit Metekia entered the GGRF Athletic Scholarship Program in 2013 as part of GGRF’s first class of scholarship recipients in Soddo, Ethiopia. Merawit’s mother explains how the scholarship inspired her and her husband to finish their education, helped their family afford to keep their children in school, provided a way for the family to put a roof over their heads and helped Merawit grow into a strong student and leader.
“My name is Roman Woldezelde. I have 5 children, three girls and two boys. After Merawit was taken into the (GGRF) project, I started my education. The other thing I do (for work) is taking care of cows and my children.”
“Merawit has changed a lot (since joining the GGRF program). She obeys us and listens to us. She has improved in her education. Before her average in school was not good but now, she does well. She shared with me what she brings from the project, like soap. I remember that because of financial (problems), I made her drop out of her former school. Providing her lunch was my other challenge. Now this problem has been solved.”
“I am happy because she gets lunch, clothes, uniform, soap. She has plenty to share with her sisters. I used to send my younger daughter to a government school where it was cheap but now I have put her in a private school (where she receives a better education).”
“After Merawit joined this project, my husband got a new education (and completed college). I continued my education and we put (Merawit’s) sister into school. Merawit has been advising me to continue my education and she would say that by learning we will change our lives. She would encourage me.”
“First I took the national exam in grade 8. Then I gave birth to my first son (and left school). Then (after Merawit joined the GGRF Athletic Scholarship Program), I started in grade 9 and 10. I took grade 10 national exam but I failed so I took the re-examination (a year later and passed the exam). After, I was promoted to grade 11. I hope to do well in school and if I succeed, I will change the life of my family.”
“Before, our house was not painted, it did not have a ceiling, we had only wooden chairs, we did not have doors. Now, the house has been painted, the ceiling has been made and we bought new chairs. There have been many changes.”
“I hope bigger things for (Merawit). After achieving her goal, I hope that she could in turn support others.”