Edify’s earliest memories in Ethiopia date back to 2015. Nine years later, we fondly remember those who took the first steps with us. At the onset, Makonen Getu, now VP of Mission True, gathered seven Christ-centered schools to form the Christian School Owners’ Fellowship. In a nation where teaching, reading, or even speaking of the Bible in schools is banned by the government, this group became a lifeline of wisdom and encouragement for local school owners committed to Christ-centered education.
Character Hallmark Academy
Among our earliest partner schools in Ethiopia was Character Hallmark Academy (CHA), with its own unique story. Founded in 2014 by three local parents, CHA aimed to make a difference in their children’s lives through Christ-centered education. As their children grew in the academy and in faith, the community noticed the transformation and began enrolling their own children.
The school’s growth was organic, attracting more eager learners each year. The founders soon realized they needed help from the community. They opened up ownership to every parent who enrolled their child in CHA, offering a chance to buy a “share” of the school and contribute to its well-being, inviting them into the transformation.
Mihiret Tefera, Christ-centered education Officer (CCEO), has walked alongside CHA over the years. She shares, “CHA’s situation is unique because, despite the odds, they prioritize the Word of God. In Ethiopia, you aren’t allowed to speak about the Word of God or any religion in the classroom during regular school hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). So, CHA leaders conduct devotionals before class each day, staying within the law and still speaking freely to the students. They’ve even designated teachers and spiritual committees for this purpose. We’ve seen God’s work in CHA, and it has truly become a model school for us.”
Partnership
Since CHA joined Edify at the start of operations, both have grown side by side. CHA has consistently welcomed wisdom and growth, participating in over 100 Edify trainings ranging from Financial Management to Becoming a Transformational Proprietor.
The Ethiopia Team connected CHA to educational technology resources, setting students up for success in a tech-driven world. CHA also became an Edify Core School with the first Ethiopian cohort in 2020, committing to three years of intensive training, discipleship, and accelerated growth — the fruits of which are evident throughout the school today.
Student Testimonies
Nine years and abundant growth later, CHA proudly serves 555 students (268 boys and 287 girls). Discipleship Clubs have been key to this growth, particularly for two grade 10 students, Samuel and Abenezer.
Having attended CHA since kindergarten, these two young men stand out in the community as a testament to the power of Christ-centered education.
When asked what God has shown him through his time at CHA, Samuel shared, “The book of Nehemiah talks about how he was ridiculed for rebuilding the Jerusalem wall, yet he focused entirely on God. This shows that as long as you work for God, not yourself, He will help you. He is the Creator of the universe. As you read on in Nehemiah, you see adversaries that can make a grown man cry. That’s the same with us. Yet because Nehemiah trusted God, he prevailed because of God’s work. It shows that if you align your passion and work with God’s purpose, He will always help you.”
Abenezer adds, “In 8th grade, I was a Christian only by name. Now, I have a hunger for the Word and a real curiosity about what God has for me. He did so much for me. Most of us were Christians but not walking in God’s way. He helped us become Christians who reflect God in the world around us.”
The Transformation to Follow
The students of CHA have indeed seen God, thanks to the dedication of local community members joining hands for the next generation. Reflecting on these incredible testimonies and the beginnings of Edify’s operations in Ethiopia, the Christian School Owners’ Fellowship, and the three dedicated parents who sacrificed for their children’s future, it becomes clear that it truly takes a village.
Mihiret shared her closing thoughts on God’s work: “I can truly testify to how the Lord respects this fellowship. I’ve seen them grow into a model school, and as Edify works with schools and empowers local leaders like these, we see a paradigm shift. They see all that is possible through Christ-centered education.”