The Fregenet Foundation Celebrates Third Anniversary

The Fregenet Foundation celebrated its third anniversary on September 17^th, 2006, with a gala event in Los Angeles’s “Little Ethiopia” district attended by friends and supporters of the foundation. 

The Fregenet Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing early educational opportunities for needy children in Ethiopia.  The Foundation’s school, the Fregenet Kidan Lehitsanat, opened its doors in 2004 with 31 students, and now serves over 100 students, ages 4-6, in Addis Ababa. 

Ato Endalkachew Abayneh served as Master of Ceremonies of the celebration, which opened with a presentation by Executive Director Elizabeth Asrat on the many successes of the previous year.  Following C.P.A. Feleke Teka’s income and expenditure report, photographer Irene Fertik presented a beautiful photo exhibit from her time at the school earlier last year.  In her photos, Ms. Fertik captured the hopes and dreams of the students—as well as their energy and curiosity. 

Guests were then given the opportunity to experience the children and the school first-hand through a short documentary film by Occidental graduate Yoana Stancheva.  Stancheva, a native of Bulgaria, spent several days at the school in Addis Ababa last year and interviewed many of the people involved in the organization, including Tafesse Woubshet and Fregenet’s grandmother, Mrs. Manalebish Kebede.  For sponsors, the inspiring documentary once again confirmed the worthiness of their investment in The Fregenet Foundation.

Ms. Mahlet Shimelis Amare, a UC Irvine student, sung a song about children which delighted the audience and after that raffle prizes were awarded.  First prize, won by Woineshet Tadelle, was a round trip ticket donated by Ethiopian Airlines from Washington D.C. to Addis Ababa.  Second prize was an iPod, won by Miriam Simmons, and third prize was a weekend Hilton Hotel get-away, won by Yeshi Tekleab.

Five dedicated supporters of The Fregenet Foundation were honored with certificates at the celebration: The Korean Western Presbyterian Church; USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa); Irene Fertik; Yoana Stancheva; and Endalkachew Abayneh.  The certificates of appreciation were awarded by promising young Ethiopian-Americans, all of whom have the potential to bring positive change to Ethiopia and to the world at large.

Bringing the celebration to a close, president of the foundation, Tafesse Woubshet extended his deep gratitude to those in attendance for their past and future generosity, and shared his vision for The Foundation’s exciting future.  As The Fregenet Foundation continues to grow, they will expand the existing school into a model school that integrates early education, health care, community development, and food pantry services.  The Foundation will then continue its work by establishing schools in needy areas of Addis Ababa, and throughout Ethiopia, where only 47% of school-aged children are currently enrolled in schools. 

Please visit www.fregenetfoundation.org for more information on The Fregenet Foundation, to make a donation, or to sponsor a child.  If you have questions or comments on the activities of The Fregenet Foundation, please email us at info@fregenetfoundation.org.