A little positivity: Dendinam!! (Yes We Can) - Dr. Bogaletch Gebre and KMG, Ethiopia

Dr. Bogaletch Gebre, a woman on a mission

President Obama wasn't the only one shouting those powerful three words. Somewhere across the globe, a sensational woman is echoing 'Dendinam' while leading, inspiring and challenging other women to better themselves and their community.

Dr. Bogaletch Gebre is what I call the epitome of a chic woman. A true example of never forgetting where you came from despite how far you moved up on the ladder and never underestimating your power to make a difference. Having earned a PhD from UCLA in Epidemiology, she could have lived comfortably working in US; but instead, she chose the high road.  Her story is a tale of pure determination and strength which inspires many.

Born to peasant parents in a small village near Durame (the capital of Kembatta region) in southern Ethiopia, Dr. Gebre has developed  tenacity to overcome challenges and achieve the unthinkable early on in life. In a society where parents are acknowledged by the name of their first born son as a sign of respect, women's needs and basic rights were never given any attention. The majority didn't believe in the significance of educating a woman. They even say it will reduce her chance of finding a man to marry her. Girls, until they reach to puberty and given off to arranged marriage, remain home helping their mothers while boys go to school . That was a norm no one has dared to question. Thus, Bogaletch's fate was not far from the other girls in her neighborhood.



After completing her daily chores, little Bogaletch sat by campfire and diligently practiced  how to read and write with the help from a relative at home. Although very reluctant, her father later allowed her to go to school only if she finished her chores around the house.That became her one way ticket to break free. She managed to excel in her education and skipped grades to complete the four level in just only three years despite the demands at home that kept her away from school for weeks; sometimes months. She became the first girl in her village to be educated beyond the fourth grade level helping her father and the locals by reading and translating court document for which they would have paid otherwise. Her excellence in her school  earned her a special scholarship to attend an all girls boarding school in Addis Abeba. The journey didn't stop there. After completing high school, she got a scholarship to study Microbiology and Psychology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. While still in Israel, she got a Full Bright fellowship to study at University of Massachusetts in USA. She later joined UCLA and earned her PhD.

Dr. Bogaletch and some of the women at KMG center

Bogaletch set up a charity called Development through Education and raised money for her charity by running marathons (which later became a passion) while still studying at UCLA. With the money she raised,  she would collect books and ship them to high schools and universities in Ethiopia. She returned to Ethiopia along with one of her charity mission trips after being away for thirteen years and witnessed that the way society  treats women haven't improved a bit ever since she left and in some cases it has gotten worse. She decided to do something about it.

Dr. Bogaletch along with her late sister, Fikirte Gebre, founded KMG, Ethiopia, or formerly known as Kembatti Mennti Gezzimma, Tope (Kembata Women Association, Ethiopia),  in 1997 with just only $5000 USD. Their mission was their passion to enable women and marginalized communities in Ethiopia to create environment where their rights are observed; realize their socio-economic well being and advancement through integrated and sustainable development interventions that link Economy, Society and Ecology. They established their first center in Kembata-Tembaro region where the sisters were born and raised in.

In the past fourteen years, KMG took its goal of helping to create an environment where the values and rights of women are recognized and their talents and wisdom are nurtured far beyond Kembata region. Currently, it has centers in Gurage region, Arbaminch, Wolayita and Oromia region. KMG’s work initially focused on eliminating sanctioned violence against women and girls, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), bridal abduction and other customary practices harmful to girls and women.  KMG’s focus has expanded ever since  to include concerns deeply interwoven with gender discrimination: economic enfranchisement, education, reproductive health services, HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation, and small infrastructure development. KMG has established several clinics, Mothers and children health centers, and females workshop and training centers in various regions of Ethiopia. The founders strongly believed that parents wouldn't intentionally hurt or deprive their daughters off of the basic necessaries. Therefore, they constantly hold educational sessions and rallies to raise an awareness. They train not only mothers but also the community leaders to fulfill their goals.

KMG and its founder, Dr. Bogaletch Gebre, have won several awards for their contribution in women's right movements including the North-South Award of the Council of Europe; the Jonathan Mann Health and Human Rights Award of the Global Health Council in Washington DC; France's Chevalier De La Legion D’honneur; the Larissa Pan African Award of the African Child Policy Forum; the Wisdom in Action Unsung Hero Award of the Dalai Lama Foundation; the Kembatta Temro Malmat Mahiber Award; and the Seed Award of the Society of Ethiopians in Diaspora.

For KMG's work in the area of Ecology and Environment, KMG received the Bioneer Award for Revolution in the Heart of Nature, as well as a Certificate of Excellence in Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation from the Kembatta Regional government, and in 2010, the Federal Government’s Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation.

To learn more visit http://kmgselfhelp.org/