Shakane writes from Ethiopia, “I am the poor daughter for my mother. I don't have father. My mother goes three times in a day to collect wood and sell it for getting our sustenance. In times when my mother can't go to collect wood we feel hungry. Since I got the chance of continuing education from you, my tongue and my heart is full of thanks.”

Shakane is one of 105 Ethiopian girls being supported by the Twin Cities nonprofit, REAL (Resources for the Enrichment of African Lives).  REAL operates with the philosophy that the education of women has a profound impact on life in communities of the developing world. Education is the most effective investment to transform the vicious cycle of economic decline and poverty.The REAL goal is assist girls and young women in order that they might continue in school, to provide an incentive for families to allow their daughters to go to school, and to indicate to the community that the education of girls is important. In addition to tuition money to the school, clothing and supplies money to the girls, a small monthly amount is provided to the parent(s) or guardian, and an annual amount to help the family advance their standard of living.

The REAL program sponsors girls in clusters.  The 105 girls are in seven clusters of fifteen. A local committee in each cluster selects the girls who will receive support. Both the girls and their parents or guardians are required to sign a participation “contract.”  The girls pledge to increase their grade points and their standings in their class. The parents pledge to allow the girls to go to school and provide time for them to do school work.   A mentor is employed for each cluster, to work out family issues that may keep a girl from performing at her best, and to help the girls stay focused on their school work.

One local Ethiopian official said, “This is an important program for our community.  These girls are the poorest of the poor.”

Each of the 105 girls has a USA sponsor who underwrites the REAL commitment to the girl in the amount of $360.00 a year.  REAL makes a seven-year commitment to each girl, from grade six through grade twelve. Those sponsoring the mentors provide $1200 per year. Most of the seven clusters are in Western Ethiopia:  Bodji, Nedjo, Nekempt, Ghimbi, and Ayra.  The Burayu Kata cluster is near Addis Abeba and the Hosanna cluster is south of Addis Abeba.

The REAL program was initiated by Tsehai Wodajo. Tsehai, who came to the Twin cities for medical reasons, faced significant challenges to keep her family intact. As she explored solutions for her family, she reached out to women from her own country and others in Minneapolis who had the heart and the desire to "do something" about the challenges facing African women and their families. In 2001 she and a friend, Hanna Getachew-Kreusser, also from Ethiopia, founded REAL and laid the foundation for REAL programs. In 2003, an American friend, Ann Jensen, who had served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia, and Rev. Yadessa Daba, past president of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church - Mekane Yesus, joined the group. REAL began to take shape.

In April, 2004, Tsehai and Ann traveled to Ethiopia to establish the foundations of a program to assist girls/young women to attend school there. Tsehai had attended high school in Ethiopia with the support of a woman from Sweden. She then attended college in Ethiopia before coming to the United States, where she pursued graduate school studies. The REAL program was granted 501c3 status as a non-profit. A board of directors was elected.

The REAL mission is to educate and empower African people living in the United States and in their native countries to lead productive and fulfilling lives, building strong communities. For more information and to meet all 105 girls visit the REAL website www.real-africa.org. 

Shakane concludes her letter, “Really I very [much] like to learn since it may change my life in the future.” The REAL board has voted commitment to an additional 45 girls in three more clusters beginning with the 2008-09 school year.  Sponsors are now being sought for these girls. Please contact: Resources for the Enrichment of African Lives (REAL), 1400 East 24th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 
612-724-2096 • info@real-africa.org

Submitted by:

 Leonard R. Flachman, REAL Communications chair
 612-618-1438
info@real-africa.org