The David Group International is thrilled with the opportunity to provide a full-scholarship for Dalaya Ashenafi as she aims to procure a graduate degree in the area of peace studies and international diplomacy.

Below is her story… a compelling story of hope!

First of all, I consider myself privileged to get this opportunity. I do not take this for granted. Though I never gave up on myself and always believed that if I work hard enough I can get to where I want to be, I have come to understand that individual success is not achieved by the individual alone but because of many who help and facilitate that individual’s upward climb – we all help each other. A number of individuals and experiences take credit for whom and where I am today.

I was born in a large family – eight kids! Four boys and girls each, including me. I was the sixth child. Even so, my parents clearly understood the value of education above everything else. They made sure that, after fulfilling our basic needs, getting us the right education and exposure was most significant.

We were not a wealthy family but my parents worked very hard to keep us in a well-reputed private school. Looking back now, I recognize that we were the upper-side of the lower-class in our community; the sacrifices my parents made to send us to a good school launched me on an exciting journey.

Starting in high school I worked as a part time translator (from Amharic, my local language) for an organization called Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), in a division committed to helping poorer kids in Southern Ethiopia. I was responsible for translating, filing and organizing letters written from the kids to their sponsors. It may not seem much now, but my first work experience taught me several things.

The first was exposing me to a vigorous work environment and showing me the importance of relationships. This helped me develop good interpersonal skills and a good work ethic. The second was the value of earning money to cover some of my expenses and enable me to make genuine financial contributions to my family. Through this I learned discipline and responsibility.

Since then I have gone on to create a number of initiatives in my community. I have come to develop a proactive character by developing creative skills and taking active roles in my high school, university and community. Please allow me to briefly outline a few of the initiatives I’ve been privileged to be part of.

I was the initiator and coordinator of a program called “Work-Pay Program” at Mekelle University. This was a program designed to stop the normal trend of receiving aid for university students, instead encouraging them to earn the money they are getting by working on campus. This program helps students develop a healthy work habit, independence and an increased servant-leadership capacity. The university in return opens job opportunities for students around campus on administrative, technical and labor supports. I was encouraged by the effectiveness of this program to do more; I became increasingly aware of my responsibilities as a young woman with power and responsibility. I have since been involved in a number of debates and competitions that have contributed to my overall worldview today.

Having completed 36 credit hours in three years, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations, with a minor in Public Administration and Development Management from Addis Ababa University, in July 2009. My undergraduate research project, titled Post-2001 US Foreign Policy Towards Iraq: The Politics of Oil received top honors. The topic I chose reflects my interest in Middle Eastern studies. One of the reasons that I wanted to study PSIR, in addition to my affinity, is that the course design: each course presented an opportunity for me contribute.

Be it Politics of Development, Social Revolution, International Relations, International Law, African Politics, Middle Eastern Politics or Ethiopian Politics and Government, each of them – the classes and the real-world counterparts – need young, vibrant, intellectual involvement in order to create meaningful futures. In the course of my undergraduate work, I’ve become an informed global citizen aware of the world, where it has been, and where it is heading now.

During my undergraduate years in Addis Ababa University, I was the founder and main coordinator of a club called In Action. We began with four strong and timely objectives. The first is the creation of a platform for interesting discussions. These discussions can be political, social, economical, spiritual and the like. Its aim is to show and teach the university community the importance of healthy dialogue and around-the-table discussions. The second is to practically explore the art of politics and political science. The third and most important is women’s empowerment. As you might already be aware, girls’ and women’s education have long been neglected in developing countries. There are few women in our university, and fewer still survive the academic pressure, new social life and the change in environment. Our Women Empowerment Program gives practical (books, pens, booklets, soaps, etc), educational (tutors, trainers, mentors) and emotional (making sure they are respected, encouraged and motivated) support for junior women on campus to make sure that they overcome their challenges and complete their education. Last but not least was our community service program. In this facet of In Action we give back to the community monetarily (by fundraising through different events), by providing training (in basic responsibility and ethics) and in terms of building relationships with the society we will serve in the long run.

With In Action, we created a relationship between theoretical and practical experience among students; we explored the similarities and differences between classroom study and what awaits us in community and work environments. Some of us were privileged to take part in Parliament sessions as observers, to see one aspect of democracy in practice.

My three years in Addis Ababa University helped prepare me for a future ripe with opportunities. Success in academics and extracurricular activities has shown me that I can be who I want to be in spite of the circumstances from which I come. Above all I feel honored to be a role model for young women on my campus by showing them that success does not depend on gender, but instead on opportunities, hard work and persistence. We may not have chosen where we are born or what kind of family we have, but we can surely choose to be different and make a difference wherever we are.

Studying Peace and Security is the next step in my journey. Before I jump into creating peace in “the world,” peacemaking starts in our families, which are the back bone of communal culture. Peace then extends gradually into the community where social norms and ethics are created. I am sure no one will argue the need of creating peace and security in our world today. We look into our world and it is full of chaos. Africa, the Middle East, East Asia, Latin America, and more are wounded and in need of healing.

Wherever there is human interaction there is bound to be misunderstanding and conflict of interest; peacemakers can play a significant role in peace building and non-violent ways of treating conflict. When interacting with one another, it is healthy to start from our similarities instead of jumping to our differences. This lays an essential foundation for dialogue, compromise and peaceful interaction.

In the long run I would like to do in-depth research in Peace Studies while pursuing a career in diplomacy. I am encouraged and motivated by the financial support of The David Group International and I feel happy and excited to be part of the solution.

I am certain I will prove to be a good investment and make a real, substantive difference in my country. I am so thankful for this opportunity and look forward to being associated with The David Group International for many years to come!

Thank you!
Dalaya