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Nonprofit Leader’s Mission: Transforming His Ethiopian Village from Within

Acheber, Ethiopia – In 2005, Seifu Ibssa returned to his hometown of Acheber, Ethiopia, and encountered a scene that would alter his life’s path. At the same pond where he had fetched water as a child, he saw a young boy doing the same, surrounded by wandering hyenas and cattle that contaminated the water source. This moment marked a turning point for Ibssa.

“It’s during that time my eyes opened to how miserable the situation is in my village. People lack education. People did not have a place to deliver babies,” Ibssa recounted.

Eight months later, Ibssa came back to Acheber, armed with the supplies to build a spring to provide clean water. This initiative, known as the Kerebign Water Project, was the first step in his mission to improve the lives of his fellow villagers. During the same visit, he requested land to build a school, leading to the establishment of Ajo Preschool, the first of many educational institutions he would help create.

These were the inaugural efforts of East African Village Outreach (EAVO), the Sacramento, California-based nonprofit Ibssa co-founded with his eldest brother and others. While EAVO was born from a need for change and a desire to help, it was Ibssa’s personal experiences that fueled his commitment.

Seifu’s Story

Seifu Ibssa, who started an organization called East African Village © Luis Villegas

Seifu Ibssa was born in Acheber, Ethiopia, a small village about 100 miles southwest of Addis Ababa. He began his early life as a shepherd boy. Recognizing his potential, his father supported his formal education, which started when Ibssa was 12 years old. After completing high school, Ibssa enrolled in a Commercial School and earned a degree in accounting.

In 1982, he migrated to the United States to further his education. He earned a degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University and now works as a financial systems analyst. Ibssa lives in the Sacramento area with his wife and two children. His own educational journey, which opened numerous opportunities, inspired him to help others achieve the same.

A Village Boy in Acheber

Growing up in the mountainous village of Acheber, Ibssa witnessed firsthand the struggles of his community. When his mother fell ill, the absence of medical facilities meant the villagers could only rely on herbal remedies and prayers. Despite their efforts, she passed away when Ibssa was just 3 or 4 years old.

At 11 or 12, his stepmother convinced his father to allow him to travel to Addis Ababa, the capital city, to attend school—a rare opportunity for a boy from their village. Ibssa, the son of a shepherd, was fascinated by the bustling city. He stayed with an older sister who had little money to spare. It was his oldest brother, Hailu, who provided the crucial $10 Ethiopian birr that enabled Ibssa to start his educational journey.

EAVO’s Journey from 2006

“If I did not have that background of growing up in the countryside where there’s no education, if I didn’t go through those rough times with my sister-in-law, if I didn’t go through the rough times in Los Angeles being hungry, I don’t think I would have the heart to be sensitive to other people or even to start this organization,” said Ibssa.

Since its official launch in 2006, EAVO has transformed countless lives. The organization has built five springs in Acheber, nine schools in the region, and sponsored 98 students to attend university. More than 90 of these students are now employed in various professions, including teaching, banking, and nursing.

One notable success story is a 2023 graduate who attended Ajo Preschool and, with EAVO’s support, now works for one of Ethiopia’s top national banks. Another success is a young woman abandoned by her parents due to a deformity. EAVO gave her a chance, and she is now a head teacher at the Lana Reese school.

EAVO also addresses other community needs, such as donating 68 mosquito nets to combat malaria, a leading killer of children under 10 and expectant mothers in the region.

Helping Beyond Borders

Ibssa’s generosity extends to his community in the United States. Solomon Ketema, a member of Bethel Evangelical Ethiopian Church, recalls how Ibssa loaned him $4,000 to buy a car as he prepared for his family’s immigration to the U.S.

“It’s very hard to find somebody like Seifu,” Ketema said.

What’s Next for EAVO

Now in his mid-sixties, Ibssa remains driven by a desire to help others. His primary goal for EAVO’s future is to focus on educating the young girls of Acheber. The construction of springs has already helped by allowing girls to attend school instead of fetching water, but Ibssa believes more can be done.

Despite relying on donations and grants, which limit funding, Ibssa is unwavering in his mission. “If I become a millionaire, that’s what I would do,” he said. Though he is not wealthy, he is determined to provide the children of Acheber with something he lacked in his youth: an education.

East African Village Outreach East African Village Outreach (eavo.org)

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