Mohammed, 21, was born in Dessie to a family that was very poor and unable to provide him with the basic needs, let alone ensure him minimal education. He says, “When my mother informed me that HOPE was going to be supporting my education and other needs, it was like a dream come true. I was relieved that my mother would no longer need to worry about what I was going to eat or how she was going to pay for my education. HOPE was to support me until I finished my education and even get me employed.” Mohammed joined in grade six and continued his education all the way to 8+3 vocational training in General Mechanics, while simultaneously attending evening classes at a government school, completing through 12th grade.

Mohammed says, “I did not have a choice to be poor, but I had a choice to either be someone or to lay back and feel sorry for myself. I was given the opportunity to change my life and that keeps me going. I have to change my life to become a self-sustaining individual and to be able to help my family, especially my mother who had struggled to provide me with the little things that she could. Upon graduation, with the assistance of the Career Planning and Placement office, Mohammed managed to secure his first job as a mechanic. “At this point, I would like to take the opportunity to thank HOPE for all it has done for me and other needy children. It is not just the financial and educational support that I got, but also hope for a bright future."