Tag Archives: summer

A Summer of Firsts at the Selamta Family Project!

Students at the Selamta Family Project in Ethiopia

What I love about being a researcher for She’s the First is that in many ways, I feel like I get to grow up with the students at the Selamta Family Project in Ethiopia. As a student myself, I love learning about the new classes they’re enrolled in, the trips they take, the stories they have to tell. Now, as I complete my first summer internship in New York City, two students at the Selamta Family Project are completing their first internship at World Wide Orphans. This is just one of the many ways that students at Selamta are taking on more and more leadership roles in their community.

While these two students intern, others apprentice at a woodworking shop, photo studio, fruit shop, and office. In the classroom, students at Selamta are also excelling. Fifteen students were placed in the top three spots of their grades, while three girls were placed number one in their classes. Tigist, a star student at Selamta, was named top in the entire school!  Thanks to her 98.4 percent average, she was awarded a full scholarship from the school for next year!

The older students at Selamta were also called upon to get creative and come up with low cost activities and projects for the younger children. With the planning and help of the older students, the kids have had a fun-filled summer packed with crafts and art projects, watching films, playing sports and games, sewing, and volunteering.

Between studies, new internships, and dreaming up fun activities for the younger students, the older girls at Selamta have taken on yet another phenomenal leadership role! Mia Brown, Selamta’s Program Director, reported that the older girls have been busy developing small business ideas. She said, “Four of our oldest girls have done research and came up with the following income-generating ideas: Hair braiding at a friend’s salon in the neighborhood, making wares for the traditional coffee ceremony (two of our girls already know how to do this and will teach others), and opening a juice shop. They are very industrious young women!”

Once again, I’m thrilled to share with you the wonderful news coming from Selamta. It has been a summer of firsts for our friends in Ethiopia – the first summer filled with internships, the first business idea, the first girl to receive a scholarship for her stunning academic record! Have you accomplished any firsts this summer?  Tweet us your good news (@shesthefirst) and support for the Selamta students!