Student sponsorship is a unique and impactful way to transform someone’s opportunities in life. Below we are proud to share an interview with Anteneh and Nadine, a student and his sponsor, about their sponsorship journey.
The Journey
Anteneh
“When I joined the sponsorship programme, my family faced significant financial problems. It was a constant struggle to make ends meet, and my education was a major source of worry for my parents. Now, I am 25 years old and working as a Process Chemist in the chemical industry. The journey from a child worried about my future to a professional contributing to my field has been incredible, and it all started with the opportunity the sponsorship gave me.”
Nadine
“My husband and I love travelling and in 2011 we decided to visit Ethiopia. We wanted to discover the country and take part in the Great Ethiopian Run, a 10k run which takes place every November in Addis Ababa. Friends recommended that we enter the run with the charity Link Ethiopia. This is how we first discovered Link Ethiopia – which later merged with the Kindu Trust to become Together We Learn.
We fell in love with Ethiopia during our first visit – with its beautiful and varied landscape, its rich culture and delicious food. We found the people very welcoming and friendly, but we also saw a lot of poverty. We started to think then about how we could help, and sponsoring a student seems to be a good way. I really believe that changes come through education.”
What Sponsorship Means
Anteneh
“The sponsorship supported me by covering all my education-related expenses. This was a huge burden lifted from my family. It meant I had everything I needed to focus on my studies—from textbooks and uniforms to school fees. This comprehensive support allowed me to learn without stress and was directly helpful in allowing me to succeed academically and reach my potential.
If I hadn’t been sponsored, the financial pressure on my family would have been too great. I likely would have had to leave school early. I would not have become a Process Chemist. Instead of building a career I am passionate about, I would probably be in a low-paying, unskilled job, struggling just as my family did before. The sponsorship literally set me on a different life path.“
Nadine
“We wanted to sponsor via a small charity and be able to really see where the money is going. Together We Learn (formerly Link Ethiopia) gave us that. The updates were personal and the team really seemed to care how students were doing. Sponsorship with Together We Learn also meant we had a contact in the UK as well who was reachable when we had questions or wanted to send extra gifts.”
My Favourite Part
Anteneh
“The most meaningful part for me was when Nadine came to Ethiopia and I got to meet her family in person. I was so excited and happy. Putting faces to the names, shaking their hands, and being able to thank them directly was an unforgettable moment. It transformed the support from something abstract into a real, human connection. It reinforced that someone across the world truly cared about my future.”
Nadine
“Our favourite part was to receive news from Anteneh and his family and knowing that they were doing ok. We were lucky to be able to meet Anteneh during one of our trips. We immediately bonded with him. He was clearly bright and could speak a bit of English, so we could communicate. We visited his school and met some other members of his family. This was a very special day for all of us.
Once a year, Together We Learn sends a school report and some information about the student, and it was a real joy to read that Anteneh was such a good student. We are so pleased that we have helped him to stay at school and go to university. We now sponsor two other students. Not all students go to university but each extra year at school is beneficial for them and improves their life chances.”
Sponsorship for Today’s Students
Anteneh
“The biggest challenge facing children from disadvantaged households today is the overwhelming financial barrier. Even with the will to learn, a child cannot go to school without the basics: a uniform, books, and supplies. This pressure often forces children to drop out and work to help their families. Beyond that, many children in rural areas lack access to quality schools and motivated teachers, creating a gap that is very hard to close without external support.
If I had a magic wand, I would erase the link between a family’s wealth and a child’s access to quality education. I would ensure that every child, no matter where they are born, has the same opportunity I was given – the opportunity to learn, to dream, and to build a life based on their potential, not their parents’ income.“
What would you say to someone considering sponsorship?
Nadine
“Do it! Helping a student to stay at school as long as possible is the best way, not only to help him or her, but also their family, and then their children. We live in a world with so much inequality that it can be really upsetting, It is sometimes difficult to know what to do. Sponsoring a student allowed us to see the direct result of our help. Anteneh has been able to stay at school and achieve his potential – and therefore also help people around him. It is really heart warming for us. He could have had other sponsors and achieve the same, it is not us as such who made the difference, but Together We Learn’s excellent programme.”
Anteneh
“Sponsorship is more than a donation; it’s an investment in a future. Look at me: I was a child with dreams but no means. Today, I am a chemist and I dream of helping other children in my country. Your sponsorship creates a ripple effect. You are not just changing one life; you are empowering someone who will go on to uplift their community and their country. Please, take that step. You have the power to launch a lifetime of achievement.”
Nadine started sponsoring with Together We Learn in 2012, she later joined our trustee board in 2020 and contributes to Together We Learn’s governance, as well as sponsoring two new students. We are very grateful for her dedication and support, and proud of the remarkable progress that Anteneh has made through his own efforts and the sponsorship programme.