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Empowering Visually Impaired Female University Students: Tsehay Zewde Memorial Scholarship Program
I. Background
- Public Health Challenge: Visual impairment affects 1.6 million Ethiopians (1.6% of the population), disproportionately impacting rural women.
- Barriers: Gender bias and disability hinder access to education. Many visually impaired female students face academic exclusion, sexism, and limited exposure to adaptive technologies.
- Existing Success: Since 2011, the Tsehay Zewde Memorial Scholarship Program (TZMSP) has supported 350+ blind female students at Addis Ababa University (AAU) through scholarship grants, skills training, and assistive technologies.
II. Objective
- Primary Goal: Expand TZMSP's reach to 3 universities nationwide, focusing on adaptive technologies, computer literacy, and life skills training.
- Immediate Goal: Reduce dropout rates and ensure academic completion, followed by job-readiness training for gainful employment.
- Alignment with Rotary: Supports Rotary's strategic focus on empowering women and promoting inclusive education.
III. Needs Assessment
- Student-Centered Approach:
- Annual reviews of universities' disability services to identify gaps.
- Focus group discussions with students, faculty, and disability centers to tailor interventions.
- Select 5-6 student delegates to provide ongoing feedback and shape training and resources.
- Core Training Areas: Life skills, computer literacy (for freshmen), and job readiness (for graduates).
IV. Rotary Involvement
- Host Club: Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Entoto (RCAA Entoto) will be the Host Club and will lead fundraising, program management, and partnerships.
- Collaboration: District 9212 endorses the project; international and local Rotary clubs are invited to partner.
- Transparency: Strict adherence to RI grant guidelines, with regular reporting and oversight by host and partner clubs.
V. Achievements (2011-2024)
- 350+ Graduates: Alumni include a diplomat, university lecturer, public prosecutor, and other government employees
- Key Support: Scholarship gras, laptops, smartphones, and voice recorders provided to all beneficiaries.
- Advocacy: Promotes inclusive education policies in Ethiopian universities.
VI. Expected Impact
- Retention/Completion: Track academic progress and graduation rates.
- Employment: Partner with Ethiojobs for job placements in public and private sectors.
- Sustainability: Encourage universities to integrate disability support into their budgets/policies.
VII. Partnerships
- Universities: Addis Abeba University, Bahir Dar, and Hawassa universities will be the executing agencies. An MOU on the roles and responsibilities of each partner will be signed with RCAA Entoto.
- Training Partners: Ethiojobs (job readiness), Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (internships).
- Advocacy/Media: Ethiopian National Association of the Blind, Together Ethiopia, EBS/ETV media.
- Funding Partners:
Rotary Clubs
Private donors
Ethiopian Airlines
VIII. Budget
- Total Request: $131,519 USD (2026-2028) for the program to spread to the 3 universities.
- Coverage: Scholarship grants, training, assistive technologies, and program coordination.
IX. Monitoring & Sustainability
- Reporting: RCAA Entoto oversees data collection, implementation status progress reviews, and RI compliance.
- Student Feedback: Monthly meetings with delegates to review progress and address emerging needs.
- Long-Term Vision: Universities to institutionalize inclusive education policies and disability support services
Build on TZMSP's 14-year model and sustain the legacy across universities in Ethiopia.
X. Contact: Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Entoto :
- PP Zerihoun Tecle, RCAA Entoto, Director of Service Project,
Primary Contact of the proposed GG
tecle-zerihoun@gmail.com, +251953406680
- PP Dr Tegest Guirma, RCAA Entoto, Director of Foundation,
Secondary Contact,
t.guerma@gmail,com
- PP Saba Lambert, RCAA Entoto
Secondary Contact,
sabalambert@hotmail.com
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