Ethiopian Woman’s Success Story

Would you start school at 40 years old?  One woman in Kosokol, Ethiopia did. An Ethiopian reporter visited the Wushiqn Primary School and saw a woman sitting in a first grade classroom.  He assumed that she was the mother of a frightened child; it never crossed his mind that she was actually a student.

Abebech Abi Seriyab is married with six children but long ago she decided that if she ever had the opportunity to attend school she would.  As she watched her children grow up, Abebech Abi deeply regretted her inability to read and write.  Now, thanks to A Glimmer of Hope and Bench Maji Development Association, she has the opportunity to receive an education.

She was encouraged to attend school by her husband, but her village did not initially share his support.  They were ashamed to have a woman of her age attending school with young children and predicted that she would fail out.  Abebech Abi proved them wrong; she passed with flying colors.

Abebech Abi says this of her experience:
“I knew nothing about alphabets; I didn’t read and write. Now there is a hope for me to go out of darkness.”

Attending school has given her more confidence and she is using her ability to read and write to help her community.  She is part of a family planning program and wants to become a leader in her region.  As a result, she now has the support of the rest of the community and her success has made other adults sign up for school in the fall.

Abebech Abi is more than 30 years older than the average first grade student but her courageous decision to attend school has given her, her family and the rest of Kosokol village a brighter future.