Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia

Our latest publication, based on project implementation experiences, highlights the critical role of family planning in enhancing community resilience. The evidence demonstrates that family planning not only improves women's health outcomes but also significantly boosts economic stability, social cohesion, and food security. This study presents a compelling argument for integrating family planning services into resilience-building initiatives. 

🌍 Join us on a journey to transform health in Africa! 🏥 Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya and operating in 35+ countries, is the largest African-based NGO. Our mission: community-led health systems addressing social determinants. From empowering communities to advocating for quality healthcare, our impact spans Reproductive Health, Youth Development, Water & Sanitation, and more. 🤝 Together, let's build lasting health change in Africa. #AmrefEthiopia #HealthForAll"

𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱! On December 19, 2024, the newly renovated Ayder Youth Center in Mekelle was officially inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in youth empowerment. This revitalized center, once damaged during the conflict, is now a beacon of hope for the youth of Ayder sub-city and beyond; thanks to the collaboration between the USAID Integrated Youth Activity- Kefeta, Tigray Region Youth and Sport Bureau, Ayder Sub-city Administration Office, and a funding support from the USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). The center, which has now been handed over to the government, is poised to become a vibrant hub offering a range of youth-friendly services. With support from USAID Integrated Youth Activity - Kefeta, the Ayder Youth Center will provide essential and holistic youth friendly services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mental health support, career development programs, skills building training, and recreational and income-generating opportunities. These services are designed to foster a safe and engaging environment for the youth of Mekelle. The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Eleanor TanPiengco, USAID Ethiopia’s Deputy Mission Director; Sam Sager, OTI’s Country Representative, Dana Beegun, Education and Youth Office Director at USAID Ethiopia, Chalachew Tiruneh, Chief of Party at Amref Ethiopia and Haish Sibagadus, Tigray Regional Youth and Sport Head. During the event, TanPiengco emphasized the crucial role of young people as potential drivers of economic recovery and peace. Kefeta's Chief of Party, Chalachew Tiruneh, also highlighted that this center is the third youth center out of the 9 service delivery outlets supported by Kefeta within Mekelle, with plans for further collaboration with government offices to enhance the reach and impact of Kefeta interventions in Mekelle. The newly inaugurated Ayder Youth Center is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of Mekelle’s youth, providing them with essential youth friendly services and opportunities for youth’s personal growth and community development. #YouthEmpowerment #USAID #Mekelle #Kefeta #YouthServices #MekelleYouth

𝐊𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! December 17, 2024: USAID Integrated Youth Activity-Kefeta is thrilled to announce the signing of two significant MoUs with Beteseb Group and St. Mary’s University, both aimed at skills building, career counseling and creating meaningful opportunities for more than 300 Ethiopian youth. Through our partnership with Beteseb Group, an Ethiopian enterprise operating across telecom, food production and retail, and digital health sectors, Kefeta will connect youth to internships and employment after equipping them with essential skills in life, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy. Beteseb Group will provide mentoring, training, and performance-based employment opportunities to help youth reach their full potential. Our collaboration with St. Mary’s University focuses on enhancing graduate employability and empowerment. By joining the Kefeta National Higher Education Alliance, St. Mary’s University will create an enabling environment for students to actively participate in Kefeta activities, including Youth-Friendly Health Services, Kefeta Youth Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCO), and youth volunteerism. Additionally, Kefeta is currently collaborating with 55 private sector partners, benefiting more than 2,000 youth through employment opportunities, internships, and skills building. Together, we are unlocking opportunities, building capacity, and empowering Ethiopian youth for a brighter future. #Kefeta #YouthEmpowerment #Amref #USAIDEthiopia #BetesebGroup #StMarysUniversity #PartnershipForImpact #EmploymentOpportunities

Strengthening Local Capacity for Sustainable Impact In this month’s Kefeta Buzz, we spotlight our ongoing efforts to empower local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) through targeted capacity-building initiatives. By fostering local leadership and ownership, Kefeta ensures that youth-focused development is driven by grassroots implementers who truly understand the needs on the ground. Dive into the full newsletter to learn more about how Kefeta is strengthening local capacity for youth development in Ethiopia. #Kefeta #LocalCapacityBuilding #CSOEmpowerment #USAIDEthiopia #YouthDevelopment #PartnershipForImpact #SustainableDevelopment

Women in Leadership: 🎤Misrak Makonnen, Country Director of Amref Health Africa, shared her experiences as a woman in leadership, echoing a need for a shift in mindset for more women, especially young women, to have leadership roles in business or social sectors in Ethiopia. Watch more on EBS 📺  

Misrak Makonnen: A Journey of Purpose As the Ethiopia Country Director of Amref Health Africa, Misrak embodies leadership grounded in empowerment, resilience, and meaningful impact. She leads a team of over 350 and drives transformative initiatives like Kefeta Youth Integrated Project, fostering health, economic empowerment, and civic engagement. Her journey reflects purpose, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability. Discover more about her inspiring leadership and impact.

Happening Now: Higher Institutions Alliance Meeting The USAID Integrated Youth Activity-Kefeta is hosting a two-day workshop bringing together Career Center Leads, Academic Vice Presidents, Deans, and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labor. Led by Brandeis University, one of Kefeta’s implementing partners, the workshop serves as a platform to reflect on achievements, provide input on key Alliance documents, and chart the way forward. The Higher Education and Technical Institution (HETI) Alliance, established by Kefeta's partner universities and TVET institutes, is driving innovative and sustainable practices in career readiness. With a focus on capacity building, policy advocacy, and inclusion, the Alliance is empowering youth, enhancing graduate employability, and strengthening Ethiopia’s education system. #Kefeta #USAID #BrandeisUniversity