Selamawit, a graduate of HOPE’s International Hotels and Home Services, was admitted when she was a grade nine student. She grew up in a happy family, but in the span of one year both her father and mother died. Being the oldest of the children, Selamawit had to remain strong, despite her agony, to console her younger brother and two sisters. The death of their parents left the children unattended. It was at this time of need and desperation that HOPE came to the rescue. After thoroughly investigating the situation, Selamawit was admitted to HOPE high school while her younger brother and sisters joined the primary school. HOPE provided all of them with school supplies and saw to it that they received proper education.

Selamawit enrolled in the 10+1 vocational training program and chose to study International Hotels and Home Services hoping that she would have a quicker and better job opportunity. “I wanted a job sooner so that I could fend for my little brothers and sisters,” says Selamwit. Selamawit apprenticed for 12 weeks at the Addis Ababa Hilton Hotel, a four star hotel in Addis. Following successful completion of all her academic requirements, she graduated among the top three in her class. “The training I received at HOPE is just the beginning and it would serve me as a spring board to further my education not to mention generating me the much needed income.”