MISSION

Inspire Ethiopia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural Ethiopia through increased access to quality education, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and sustainable development.

GOALS

Develop educational programs and curricula

Offer access to quality K-12 education in rural Ethiopia.

Improve literacy and decrease school dropout rates.

Narrow gender and achievement gap in K-12 education.

Promote the inclusion of children with disabilities.

Develop economic activities to promote employment

Promote job creation and entrepreneurship.

Develop vocational training.

Develop relationships with businesses to offer internship programs.

Foster global citizenship and environmental stewardship

Engage in humanitarian activities in Ethiopia and the US.

Create awareness about social justice and respect for other cultures and religions.

Facilitate professional development and exchange programs between Ethiopia and the USA.

APPROACH

To achieve our mission, we strive to identify and implement innovative, impactful, and sustainable programs through active community engagement and in close collaboration with all stakeholders including parents, government agencies, NGOs, and other donors.

PROJECTS

With a per capita GNP of a little over $1,000, Ethiopia is one of the poorest nations in the world. About 80% of Ethiopia’s 108 million people reside in rural areas where the infrastructure is poor, and education and health care services are inadequate. To alleviate the vicious cycle of poverty, Inspire Ethiopia believes that improving education and health services are key.

More recently, illiteracy rates in Ethiopia declined as primary school enrollments increased significantly across the country. However, primary and secondary schools both in rural and urban areas remain underfunded and understaffed due to which the quality of education has suffered. The situation is particularly dire in rural regions where most schools lack running water and power, and other basic learning materials are in short supply. IE’s primary focus is on creating a conducive and child-centered learning environment in selected schools by constructing new buildings or rehabilitating existing school facilities, installing power, and clean water systems, among others. It also strives to equip the schools with adequate learning tools and supplies including computers and books. IE’s education mission also includes improving the quality of instruction, closing the gender gap, and reducing the student dropout rate.

The WHO’s 2018, World Health Report indicates a doctor-patient ratio of about 0.77 doctors per 1000. This clearly shows that access to health care services is very limited in Ethiopia, especially in rural areas. This situation is further exacerbated by the recent onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

In health, an important component of IE’s strategic goal is a school-based, prevention-focused health and wellness center that provides comprehensive and holistic health care services both to students and their families. Using the school clinic as its hub, IE makes every effort to educate students and their families about protecting themselves and others from COVID-19 and other transmittable diseases. Additionally, IE strives to raise funds to acquire critical supplies such as masks and sanitizers that the rural community cannot afford.

Strengthening the quality of education and health services in rural Ethiopia can go a long way in helping improve the socio-economic conditions and wellbeing of the rural community. It will also contribute to bolstering the nation’s aspirations of achieving sustained economic growth and development.