students served

teachers trained

total community members engaged

Luminos in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the Luminos Fund’s largest and longest-running program. In partnership with the government of Ethiopia and community-based organizations, Luminos is implementing an accelerated education program, successfully reaching more than 189,768 out-of-school children.

Meet Tibebu, a Luminos student in Ethiopia:

Ethiopia at a Glance

While Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education has made significant investments and developed new policies to support out-of-school children, it is estimated that more than 4.5 million primary-school-aged children are still out of school in the country.

The impacts of conflict and climate change are significant barriers to accessing quality education, with more than an estimated 5.5 million internally displaced persons. Poverty has decreased overall, however, for the most vulnerable families, little has changed in the past decade.

Map showing the country of Liberia, located in West Africa.

Student Ruth was out of school her entire life before entering a Luminos classroom. Today, her favorite subject is Amharic and she says, “Education gives you knowledge, and with knowledge you can do anything.” (Photo: Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)

Teacher Tiblet checks in on a group of her students, answering questions and getting them excited about the reading lesson. (Photo: Michael Stulman/Luminos Fund)

Teacher Derese in front of his classroom, decorated with learning materials and student work. “The best thing about being a teacher is seeing my students’ improvement,” says Derese. “It is quite amazing how they transform within such a short period of time.” (Photo: Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)

Luminos classrooms are joyful places to learn. Here, two Ethiopian students play a game outside. (Photo: Michael Stulman/Luminos Fund)

In Ethiopia, students are often assigned different class roles that rotate throughout the year. Here, the class “photographer” shows off the cardboard camera he created. (Photo: Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)

In the Konso zone, where Luminos is running a pilot to serve internally displaced children, students receive a hot meal midway through the school day. (Photo: Michael Stulman/Luminos Fund)

Student Firehiwot practices writing in her colorful, joyful Luminos classroom. “I like school,” declares Firehiwot, “because this is where I learn how to write and read!” (Photo: Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)

Students are often asked to pair up throughout the day to practice and complete assignments before sharing in front of the class. (Photo: Michael Stulman/Luminos Fund)

Aster (right) is the mother of Luminos student Andenet and shares her daughter’s love of learning. The mother of five, Aster has recently returned to school herself and is studying at the seventh-grade level! (Photo: Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)

Student Mebratu is thriving in the Luminos program. Mebratu’s grandmother Bafane has proudly witnessed his growth and says, “My grandchild has improved a lot. He can now read and write. He now wants to share what he knows with others.” (Photo: Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)

What We Do in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Luminos is reaching thousands of out-of-school children each year through our accelerated education program. In just one school year, we support children to achieve foundational reading, writing, and math skills with transformational results.

To address the out-of-school challenge at scale, Luminos is building capacity within the national, regional, and local education bureaus to adopt and deliver our program. In 2022-23, the government is reaching over 30,000 children through the adoption of our program model.

Through both direct delivery and government adoption of the program, Luminos is scaling to reach new geographies and populations. In the Konso zone of SNNPR, for example, we are testing and scaling a new pilot that is serving internally displaced children, which includes a school meal component.

We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education, representing our joint commitment to ensuring all children can catch up to grade level, reintegrate into government schools, and prepare for lifelong learning.

“I have been able to see closely how the lessons are given and how the teachers are committed. The follow up by teachers is quite amazing. They do much better than the regular teachers. Even highly paid teachers do not show this level of commitment and output. The classrooms are lively and have a lot of learning resources. I am now a champion of the program.“

Mesfin Yacob
Sodo Zuria Woreda School Improvement and Supervision Directorate Team Leader (Ethiopian government, district-level official)

The 2022-2023 School Year

classrooms

students

regional states and cities

community partners

These numbers include both Luminos direct delivery classrooms and government adoption classrooms.

Reports & Evaluations

2018 Longitudinal Study (Summary)

(University of Sussex)

Learning Loss, Trauma, and Resilience in Tigray Report (Summary)

(Institute for Education, Health, and Development at Addis Ababa University)

2020 Report Synthesis (Out-of-School Children in Ethiopia)

(Ministry of Education, Ethiopia)

All Work, All Play

(Childhood Education: Innovations)

2016 Ethiopia Pedagogical Review

(University of Sussex)

“I’ve evaluated the Luminos Fund’s programs in Ethiopia over a number of years and want to emphasize their impact educating out-of-school children as well as the great promise of the Ethiopian government to adopt the Luminos model in its own classrooms. Especially given Ethiopia’s focus on accelerated education through the COVID-19 pandemic and eventual recovery, Luminos’s programs and this type of NGO-government collaboration can serve as a model for resilient, transformative education during and after crises.”

Dr. Kwame Akyeampong
Professor of International Education & Development at The Open University and Luminos Board of Directors

90% of Luminos students transition to government school upon completing the program

%

Luminos students outperform their peers in English and Math by an average of 10%

  • Luminos students 45% 45%
  • Government students 36% 36%

Luminos students are happier and more confident than their peers

Meet our Ethiopia Team

Education Program Coordinator, Ethiopia

Roman Tesfaye Adamu

Country Manager, Ethiopia

Hassen Ahmed Assen

Associate Director of Programs

Dr. Caitlin Collis

Senior Director of Programs, Ethiopia

Dr. Alemayehu Hailu Gebre

Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Ethiopia

Wondu Gudeta

Finance and Operations Associate, Ethiopia

Selamawit Melese

Education Program Manager, Ethiopia

Tegistu Petros Mirkano

Senior Finance Officer, Ethiopia

Fekerte Bekele Teketelew

Education Program Manager, Ethiopia

Lula Yibaleh

Education Program Coordinator, Ethiopia

Roman Tesfaye Adamu

Roman Tesfaye Adamu is an Education Program Coordinator for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia, where she leads a new project in the Sidama region focused on adapting the Luminos program for broader adoption in government classrooms. Roman also plays a key role in program and partner management, data oversight, donor stewardship, and curriculum tool development.

Roman has over eight years of experience as a Project Coordinator and Developer for the Luminos program through Emmanuel Development Association Ethiopia (EDA), a Luminos community partner. At EDA, Roman also served as a Social Worker, Trainer, and Educator. Prior to joining EDA, Roman worked as a teacher. With an MA in Business Administration and a BSC in Applied Physics, Roman has expertise in developing, implementing, directing, and coordinating educational initiatives. She has expertise in creating engaging curricula, facilitating workshops and training sessions, and building strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure program success. Roman’s passion for making a difference in the lives of others is evident in her work, and she is committed to using her skills and expertise to continue making a positive impact on the world around her.

Country Manager, Ethiopia

Hassen Ahmed Assen

Hassen Ahmed Assen is Country Manager for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia. As Country Manager, Hassen plays a key leadership role in program planning and execution, curriculum development, and monitoring & evaluation. Previously, Hassen was Senior Program Manager, responsible for program management and reporting for the Luminos Fund projects in Ethiopia. 

Hassen is an education, conflict prevention, peace building, and development program specialist with more than 25 years of experience in government and the NGO sector. In his previous roles with Save the Children (Finland, Denmark, and the UK), Pact Ethiopia, and Somaliland Development Fund (SDF), Hassen managed various projects in education, conflict prevention, organizational capacity development, and child rights. He also served as a Chief of Party for Strengthening Institution for Peace and Development Program 2 (SIPED) at Pact Ethiopia. Recently, Hassen served as a Deputy Team Leader and Engagement and Influence Lead for Civil Society Support Program 2 (CSSP2) implemented by a consortium of Pact, Social Development Direct, and the British Council. 

Hassen holds a diploma in English language teaching from Kotebe College of Teacher Education, a BA in Educational Administration, and a master’s degree in Educational Research and Development from Addis Ababa University. 

Associate Director of Programs

Dr. Caitlin Collis

Dr. Caitlin Collis is Associate Director of Programs at the Luminos Fund where she provides turnkey support on an array of deliverables, including program management and reporting, data gathering and analytics, and curriculum development support. Caitlin recently completed a PhD in History at the University of Pennsylvania, where her research focused on infrastructure and empire building in modern Ethiopian history. From 2017-2020, she lived in Addis Ababa, where she split her time between conducting archival research and co-founding a fitness center, GoFigure Fitness. Caitlin holds a BA in Regional Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and an MA in History from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Senior Director of Programs, Ethiopia

Dr. Alemayehu Hailu Gebre

Dr. Alemayehu “Alex” Hailu Gebre is the Senior Director of Programs for the Luminos Fund and is based in Ethiopia. Alex provides strategic oversight of Luminos programming, advises on the organization’s growth strategy, and facilitates effective engagement with governments and community-based organizations. 

Alex is an accomplished international development and education leader with over twenty years of experience in the NGO sector across project management, partnership development, project monitoring and evaluation, human resource and organizational development, and management. 

Previously, Alex worked for the Adult and Non-formal Education Association in Ethiopia (ANFEAE), the international nonprofit Pact, and most recently served as a Country Director for Geneva Global. He has served as a valued partner to the Second Chance program (also known as Speed School in Ethiopia) since its early days. 

Through Alex’s leadership, ANFEAE won UNESCO’s International Literacy Prize of 2008 and the World Bank’s Development Market Place Award of 2003. Alex has co-written the book Everyday Literacies in Africa, and wrote the case study, “Action Research for Curriculum Development: An Example from Ethiopia” for UNESCO’s 2015 book, Action Research to Improve Youth and Adult Literacy. Alex has a master’s in economics from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and a PhD in education. 

Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Ethiopia

Wondu Gudeta

Wondu Gudeta is a Monitoring and Evaluation Manager for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia where he is leading the overall data collection, cleaning, analysis, and reporting to guide and improve program management. Wondu also develops data dashboards, builds the technical capacity of Luminos community partners, and works closely with external evaluators. 

Wondu has over 12 years of experience in the education, health, and development sectors, including working for several USAID, FCDO, and other donor-funded projects at Link Education International, Jhpiego, FHI-360, and others. Wondu holds master’s degrees in both Monitoring & Evaluation and Statistics. Wondu is excited to contribute to changing the lives of marginalized and vulnerable groups through the Luminos catch-up education program.

Finance and Operations Associate, Ethiopia

Selamawit Melese

Selamawit (Selam) Melese is a Finance and Operations Associate for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia. Selam provides support in a variety of areas including finance, logistics, and administration. She has over five years of experience working in different capacities in both corporate settings and nonprofit organizations. Selam joined the Luminos Fund in February 2022. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing from Mekelle University where she also received advanced computer skills training.

Education Program Manager, Ethiopia

Tegistu Petros Mirkano

Tegistu Petros Mirkano is an Education Program Manager for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia. As Education Program Manager, Tegistu supports the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of Luminos’ Second Chance program. Tegistu brings over 14 years of experience in international development and education for vulnerable populations, program and project management, research, and assessments, including EGRA/EGMA. Prior to joining Luminos, Tegistu worked at the Finnish Refugee Council as an Education Specialist. He has also worked for a variety of INGOs including World Vision Ethiopia as an Education Specialist, Save the Children International as a Program Coordinator, and Nuru International as an Education Program Manager. Tegistu holds an MA in Social Psychology from Addis Ababa University, an MA in Linguistics and Communication from Hawasaa University, and a BED degree in teaching English from Mekelle University. Tegistu is excited to be part of Luminos Fund family and the Second Chance program’s impact in Ethiopia.

Senior Finance Officer, Ethiopia

Fekerte Bekele Teketelew

Fekerte Bekele Teketelew is a Senior Finance Officer for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia where she manages day-to-day financial operations, including bookkeeping, payroll, tax withholding, and other administrative duties. Fekerte has served her community in various non-governmental organizations for over 11 years. Prior to joining Luminos, Fekerte served as the Head of Finance for the Organization for Women in Self Employment (WISE). Fekerte has a MA in Development Management and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Fekerte believes that learning and education are essential to one’s life, and that every person deserves the right to education. Outside of work, Fekerte enjoys gardening and learning. She is in the first year of her second MA in Counseling and Psychology.

Education Program Manager, Ethiopia

Lula Yibaleh

Lula is an Education Program Manager for the Luminos Fund in Ethiopia where she conducts program assessments and helps organize and deliver training sessions for staff, teachers, and local partners on key aspects of Luminos’ programming. In addition, Lula collects testimonials from students and communities we serve in Ethiopia. 

Lula has worked in the education sector for 10 years as an educator, trainer, coach, and program coordinator, after starting her career as an English teacher in Addis Ababa. She previously served as a Teacher Trainer/Coach at Accelerated Learning, a Senior Trainer and Project Coordinator for the Organization for Women in Self-Employment, and a Senior Training Coordinator at Ethiojobs. Before joining Luminos, Lula was a Learning and Development Manager at Idea Consulting where she oversaw a capacity building program for employees.  

As a seasoned educator, Lula is passionate about education and its impact in a community. In addition to education, she is involved in volunteer community work. Outside of the office, Lula enjoys reading and swimming.  

“Every morning I wake up with full energy knowing that what I am doing is not a mere job, but devotion to equip children with knowledge and skills that will lead them to a better life.”

Dr. Alemayehu Hailu Gebre, Ethiopia Country Director and Regional Strategic Advisor

Our Community Partners

Frontline community-based organizations (CBOs) are fundamental to Luminos’ model. These CBOs help select the communities we work in based on local needs, lead community engagement and delivery of the Luminos program, and monitor the program on an ongoing basis. In Ethiopia, Luminos works with the Ministry of Education and the following CBOs to co-create and deliver our country-specific programs:

African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)

Close-up of Luminos Liberia student writing

Integrated Service on Health and Development Organization (ISHDO)

Emmanuel Development Association (EDA)

Positive Action for Development (PAD)

Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus- Development & Social Service Commission – South Area Work (EECMY-DASSC)

Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL Ethiopia)

Hope for Children in Ethiopia Relief and Development Association (HCF-RD)

Wolaita Development Association (WoDA)

“Partnering with the Luminos Fund has allowed us to develop our creativity, attention to detail, and ability to set priorities. It’s truly inspiring to witness the transformation of the vulnerable rural children we work with, as they become more confident and outspoken. The innovative and creative techniques employed by Luminos have also contributed to a positive shift in the working culture of school communities. We continue to learn from the program, and it is making a significant impact in the education sector.”

Woinshet Mengesha
South and Central Branch Office Manager, EECMY-DASSC

Latest news & stories from Ethiopia

Konjit: Journeying through Conflict to Education in Ethiopia

Konjit: Journeying through Conflict to Education in Ethiopia

by | Jun 6, 2023

Konjit lives with her family in Konso, a small farming town in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia. She loves writing and excels in reading. When Konjit grows up, she wants to be a doctor so that she can help people. But five...

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The Luminos Fund is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt charitable organization registered in the United States (EIN 36-4817073).

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