Our Impact
Stories of the Girls
Dibora’s thank you song
Firtuna’s Story
When I was five, I experienced a life changing event when I was involved in a serious car accident that severely injured my right leg. Initially, I received treatment in my hometown Adwa, but it became clear that I required more specialized care. After two years of enduring pain and limited mobility, I was fortunate to meet Norman and Ruthie Perdue, founders of an NGO called COEEF, who visited my school Lem Lem Atsede in Adwa town. They recognized my situation and facilitated my transfer to a pediatric hospital called Shriners in Utah where I would receive the comprehensive medical care I needed.
The journey to Utah was not easy, as it involved numerous process and arrangements, but it marked the beginning of a beautiful chapter in my life. I spent two years in Utah during which I underwent two significant surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Throughout this challenging period, I was incredibly lucky to have the unwavering support and care of Norm and Ruthie. They went above and beyond to ensure my comfort and wellbeing while I experience life in a wheelchair. Their kindness and dedication made my stay in Utah a positive experience, filled with cherished memories that I hold dear to this day.
Emebets’s Story
My name is Embet Mesele. I live in Axum, Ethiopia, where I was born and raised. I am 13 years old and a grade 7 student learning at the Hebret Elementary School. I have a sister named Kisanet and a brother named Robel. My father was a government employee, and my mother is a housewife. Because of my family’s very low income, my family cannot afford to send me to a private school to receive a quality education.
If it hadn’t been for the war three years ago, I would be in high school, and I could have qualified for the special school in Mekelle. The war affected us in so many ways. We had to flee our homes to escape the fighting. I never thought I would survive, but by the grace of God we are alive, and I am able to go to school again.
When I grow up, I want to be a doctor specializing in HIV/AIDS. This is because there are many people in my country suffering from the disease. By studying hard, I hope to find a cure and provide treatment for HIV/AIDS patients.
Introduction of the Children of Ethiopia Education Fund
