Binyam, Ethiopia

My mother and father both passed away when I was young, so my sister and I went to live with my uncle in Asela, who took care of us. By the time I was of school age, school fees had been abolished in Ethiopia, so even though I was from a very poor background I could still attend.

 

My uncle couldn’t afford to pay the indirect costs though (for books, uniform etc.), so I received financial support from the NGO EMRDA (Ethiopian Muslim Relief and Development Association). They continued to support me throughout my degree in Psychology.

 

After my graduation I couldn’t get a job for seven months, so my uncle continued to support me, which was a tough, but I now work for the Justice Office in Itaya, advocating for the local community around gender-based issues.

 

I can now afford to finally live independently of my uncle and EMRDA, and can support my younger sister to finish her education. She is studying in Asela and hopes to continue her education after secondary school. I feel very proud that I have been able to overcome poverty and my personal challenges to receive an education that has afforded me a job that I love, in helping others.

 

Biniyam Ahimad, 25

Works at the Justice Office – Gender issues – Itaya

 

© Biniyam Ahimad / EMRDA / ODI / PhotoVoice

Done