Faces of a Brighter Future

Hear from resilient students and teachers building a better tomorrow for themselves and their communities through quality education in Ethiopia

By Education Cannot Wait

May 28^th, 2025

In the remote Tigray region of Ethiopia, where the scars of a three-year conflict still linger, ten-year-old Samrawit stands at the blackboard, a piece of white chalk in hand as she considers the math problem before her. Young Nahome purses his lips as he works on a detailed drawing of his old home at his desk. Twelve-year-old Merehawit reads the short story she drafted to her class.

With the support of Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and partners – including UNICEF, Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children and Imagine1Day – and in close collaboration with the government, this new generation of children is harnessing education to rebuild their lives and unlock opportunities for a better tomorrow.

In one school alone, school enrollment has increased by an incredible 20% over a one year period, thanks to the comprehensive package of interventions funded in the region by ECW, together with key strategic donor partners such as The LEGO Foundation and Finland.

“The education crisis in Ethiopia is one of the largest silent crises in the world today. Yet, we are seeing impressive impact of ECW’s investments. Girls and boys who are back in school after enduring years of conflict told us they want to move beyond their experience of conflict, learn and achieve their dreams of becoming teachers, doctors, pilots and lawyers.” ~Yasmine Sherif, ECW Executive Director

During a joint mission in Ethiopia, ECW Global Champion & Danish Minister of Finance Nicolai Wammen and ECW Director Yasmine Sherif called on donors to step up financing solutions to deliver education for millions of crisis-affected children. ©ECW/Tesfaye

The ongoing conflict, inter-communal violence and climate-induced disasters have left an estimated 9 million children out of school across Ethiopia, a number that has tripled since 2022. Close to 18% of schools in the country have been damaged or destroyed, leaving children with little opportunity to learn. Yet, amid these challenges, investments in quality education are making a difference.

ECW’s holistic support has already reached more than 550,000 children across Ethiopia. This includes school rehabilitation, teacher training, mental health and psychosocial services, school feeding, early childhood education and much more. The goal is to provide a comprehensive, inclusive education to the most vulnerable – particularly girls, children with disabilities and those from forcibly displaced communities.

The true impact of ECW investments in Ethiopia is best understood through the voices of the children and teachers whose lives have been transformed:

The Faces Behind the Numbers

Merehawit, 12, is one of the most active students at her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. She loves going to school and dreams of one day becoming a doctor. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I love coming to school, and learning English is so interesting for me. I want to become a doctor so I can care for people.” ~Merehawit, 12-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Samrawit, 10, stands at the blackboard of her school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, rebuilt with ECW support. Children here are back in the classroom after over 3 years of missing out on school due to conflict that devastated the region. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I love learning and I also love to play with my friends – especially jumping rope."~Samrawit, 10-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Yordanos, 13, raises her hand to answer a question in her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I want to become a traffic policewoman. Going to school will make my dreams come true. I want to educate people about road rules to save lives.” ~Yordanos, 13-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Samuel, 12, arrives at his ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where his favorite subject is environmental science. © ECW/Tesfaye

“Environmental science is my favorite subject. I want to clean up the world.” ~Samuel, 12-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Teacher Breiy works with a student at her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. She has been an educator for over 10 years. © ECW/Tesfaye

“Teaching makes me happy. I love teaching and, when I see children learn, it is so rewarding. I was inspired to become a teacher as my teachers were so wonderful when I was at school. I realized the gift of learning that they gave me, and I wanted to do the same for the next generation.” ~Breiy, Teacher, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Rose, 14, draws a picture in her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Her favorite subject is Amharic and she wants to be a doctor. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I love flowers, and they grow just like me and my friends. I want to be a doctor.” ~Rosa, 14-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Tirhas, 14, at her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

“My favorite subject is Tigrinya, and I want to become a teacher when I grow up. I also love playing sports with my friends.” ~Tirhas, 14-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Helen, 13, writes at the blackboard of her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

“English is my favorite subject, and I want to learn so I can contribute to support my family and my community. I want to be an accountant and work in a bank.” ~Helen, 13-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Nuru, 13, sits at his desk in the ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I want to become a doctor so I can care for people.” ~Nuru, 13-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Nahom was displaced from Western Tigray due to the conflict in the region. He and his family came to an Internally Displaced People Camp in the Shire region. He dreams of being able to return to his home. © ECW/Tesfaye

“It has been five years since I came here. The picture you see here is a house. It is a house I always think of living in. It represents my hope. This is my dream to go back to my beautiful home.” ~Nahom, Student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Guesh has been teaching mathematics for 19 years and he now teaches at an ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I love teaching. Teaching is the father of all professions. You are teaching the next generation for the future. I love to see the children learn and develop their minds. I became a teacher because, when I was in school, I loved my math teacher and so I excelled in math and he inspired me to become a teacher.” ~Guesh, Math Teacher, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Rahow, 13, at her ECW-supported school in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

“I love all subjects and enjoy learning everything. School will make my dreams come true!” ~Rahow, 13-year-old student, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Students at their ECW-supported school in Tigray region, Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

Students and teachers are at the heart of Ethiopia’s recovery. Despite progress, millions of children remain out of school, facing obstacles like armed conflict, displacement and poverty. Bold, immediate action is needed to ensure every child has access to education.

ECW’s Executive Director stressed the urgent need for increased funding. “We need additional financing to reach more children. Investing in Ethiopia’s young generation is not just an option – it’s an absolute necessity,” said Sherif.

Minister Nicolai Wammen echoed the call, urging the private sector and donors to step up.

“Conflicts, climate change and other crises continue to push millions of children out of school every year. Business as usual will not meet this challenge. I encourage private sector partners to join ECW’s efforts and invest in new and innovative financing strategies to fill the widening gap.” ~Nicolai Wammen, ECW Global Champion and Danish Minister of Finance

A teacher works with her students at their ECW-supported school in Tigray region, Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

ECW and partners continue to work together to provide holistic, quality education in Ethiopia. The sheer on-the-ground impact of these investments reveal education’s profound ability to transform lives, even in the most challenging circumstances. But this journey is far from complete. More support is urgently needed to ensure no child is left behind.

The faces of children like Samrawit, Nahome and Merehawit are not just faces of hope; they are the promise of a brighter tomorrow for Ethiopia.

Quality education, as a transformative, immediate, lifesaving and long-term investment, breaks cycles of displacement, poverty and conflict. Only then can we achieve peace, stability and economic development. With greater investment, these young learners can turn their dreams into reality, shaping a better future for themselves, their communities and the world. Now is the time to invest in their future – because when we educate, we empower.

Students raise their hands during class in Tigray region, Ethiopia. © ECW/Tesfaye

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