Challenges and Opportunities
/The Education of an Ethiopian Family
(l to r) Yeron, Singitan, Kenassa, Ebise and Olit
CFNA provides scholarships to three types of young people. Although most of the recipients are members of New American families, we have also supported some students whose parent(s) are studying at Concordia Seminary, or who work as missionaries among refugee and immigrant families.
For the last three years we have been providing scholarships to the children of Ebise Ayana, who is a PhD student at Concordia Seminary. Before coming to St. Louis, she was on the faculty of Mekane Yesus Seminary in Ethiopia.*
Ebise had her dissertation proposal hearing in June and is hoping to find support so she can stay at the Seminary for the 2024—25 school year to complete this final requirement. She is looking at how the church can support emigrant women who go to the Middle East to work and then return to their homes in Ethiopia. The challenge is that the culture of Ethiopia expects emigrees to support family at home, and if they return without resources, as these women do, it is shameful.
Ebise’s oldest daughter Yeron completed her high school education at Lutheran South. She graduated from Forest Park Community College in May 2024. Initially both Yeron’s younger brothers went to the Clayton public elementary school adjacent to the Seminary campus, but Olit transferred to CCLS (Christ Community Lutheran School) for his fifth-grade year. He now has a MOScholars grant which covers most of his tuition costs. His younger brother Singitan started at CCLS in Fall 2023 with a CFNA scholarship.
Ebise hopes to stay in St. Louis this year because once she returns to Ethiopia the environment will not be conducive to finishing her dissertation. Internet connections are poor and she will have to work full-time. Additionally, she will have social obligations based on Ethiopian society expectations. She is also concerned that her children will need additional support as they readjust to living in Ethiopia. Right now, both boys are really enjoying CCLS. The picture shows the whole family—her husband was visiting St. Louis recently from Ethiopia.
Should you have questions or suggestions regarding housing support required for this family you may contact me at judithmeyer@gmail.com.
By Dr. Judith Meyer
CFNA Scholarship Assistance Facilitator
*The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) is a mega-Lutheran denomination with over 10 million members. Ties with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod are facilitated to a significant extent via the link between the Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Abba and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO
