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Get ready to be part of Support For Ethiopian Deaf Community’s 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala! The annual event that all of us have been expecting is finally around the corner and we want you to be there! 🎉
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Gallaudet University 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Seize this opportunity to grab your ticket today.
Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Tickets include full dinner and beverages.
Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable!
You’re invited to join us for a fun summer cookout with a heartfelt twist! We’re hosting a delicious gathering to raise funds to support Deaf community in Ethiopia, who are in need. As the sunny weather approaches, bright and the aroma of grilled delights fills the air, we invite you to be a part of something truly special. Either fill out the form below or click Here to register and grab your ticket and join us.
A few months back, the secretary and treasurer of our non-profit, SEDC got a chance to visit to Ethiopia. The visit, which occurred from the second week of May towards the end of June was aimed at delivering another round of donation supplies for deaf children at a different part of the country and expanding our reach.
(Photo Description: Afomeya packing and preparing supplies prior to her trip to Ethiopia)
Support for Ethiopian Deaf Community is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of deaf individuals in Ethiopia. The organization focuses on providing educational resources, information accessibility, and community support to enhance the well-being of the Ethiopian deaf community and Especially the Deaf children in Ethiopia.
A snippet of Afomeya Mekonnen after boarding the plane to Ethiopia
SEDC was already aware that there has been ongoing security concern, instability, and threats to travelers in the northern region and the donation supplies intended for the Amhara region in Ethiopia were securely stored in the office of our partner organization named Deaf Development and Information Association (DDIA) in central location in Ethiopia. These supplies will remain safely stored until conditions in the region allow safe access. The organization is actively following up the situation and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safe delivery of these supplies when circumstances allow.
Our secretary and treasurer was able to meet with Mekdes Habtamu who is a high school teacher and chairman of a local nonprofit organization in Ethiopia. Mekdes is a designated individual who is responsible for delivering the donated school supplies to the school in Amhara region. Once the current unrest in the country resolves, Mekdes will proceed with delivering the items to the promised school.
While the visit did not go as planned due to security concerns and active fighting in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia, “Support for Ethiopian Deaf Community” remains steadfast in its commitment to providing assistance to those in need. The safety and well-being of the Secretary and all involved remain the top priority, and the organization will adapt its strategies as necessary to fulfill its mission.
(Photo description: SEDC Secretary, Afomeya Mekonnen and Mekdes habtamu at DDIA office in Addis Ababa)
To our generous donors, we express our sincere gratitude for your understanding and continued support as we work together to make a positive impact on the lives of deaf children in Ethiopia.
For the first time since its founding, the president of our non-profit organization, Mr. Kidane Habte has recently visited Ethiopia and delivered school supplies gathered from our generous donors to Deaf children located in three different cities in Ethiopia. The schools visited include Adama (aka Nazreth), ENAD Co-Action preschool in Addis Ababa and another school for the Deaf located in Gambella city in the Gambella region.
Photo description: Mr. Kidane (center) at the airport ticket check in before leaving for EthiopiaPartial view of donated school supplies that were distributed to Deaf schoolkids in Ethiopia
The visit was also aimed at closely observing what significant challenges the Deaf students face due to lack of access to educational resources and support at their respective schools and getting a better understanding regarding the needs of those schools in order to improve the quality of education that they provide the deaf kids with.
(Photo Description: Mr. Kidane visited ENAD’s Co-Action preschool inside the main office of the Ethiopian National Association of the Deaf in Addis Ababa)
Besides that, there were several objectives that SEDC laid out for this visit as follows:
To deliver donated school supplies to deaf children in select schools for the Deaf.
To meet with our country representatives and discuss areas and regions that need more focus.
To observe the quality of education provided to deaf children in the region.
To identify opportunities for future support and collaboration with other local organizations.
During his visit to Ethiopia, the president of the non-profit organization engaged in the following activities:
Met with local school directors and educators to understand the challenges mostly faced by the students and teachers in the areas.
Distributed donated school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, backpacks and balls to deaf children in Adama/Nazret, Addis Ababa and Gambella.
Observed the quality of education provided to deaf children in a school for the deaf in Gambella.
Connected with local organizations to identify opportunities for future support and collaboration.
(Photo description: Mr. Kidane with students and teachers at Adama/Nazreth Deaf school in Ethiopia)
The visit resulted in the following outcomes:
The donated school supplies motivated the Deaf kids to stay fond of learning in particular and inspired the teachers in general to keep brightening up the future of Deaf kids knowing that they got helping hands with much-needed resources for improving the teaching-learning experience.
The president of our non-profit organization gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by deaf children in the regions outside of the capital city after visiting and talking with the stakeholders in person.
The visit helped to raise awareness of the needs of deaf children in those locations and highlighted the attempts being done by our non-profit organization to support their education.
(Photo description: Mr. Kidane visited Deaf schoolkids in Gambella)
The visit to Ethiopia by the president of the non-profit organization was a first of its kind with significant outcomes achieved in terms of delivering donated school supplies, engaging with local educators, and identifying opportunities for future support and collaboration. The visit highlighted the importance of supporting the education of deaf children in Ethiopia and the impact that such support can have on their lives. There will be more updates to this story.
