The Eritrean Diaspora Scholarship Committee is excited to announce our 2024-2025 EDN Scholarship awardees. This is our sixth year of being able to impact the lives of Eritrean students positively, and we hope to keep it going for many more years. After careful reviewing 53 applications, nine were selected to receive scholarships of $2,000 each. Here are their stories and their expressed gratitude to our donors.
Beteal Araya
Beteal Araya is currently a freshman at Colorado State University, pursuing a degree in computer science with a concentration in mathematics. Beteal hopes to attend medical school after achieving her degree in computer science. She aims to use her background in computer science with medical research to develop an online lab. Beteal is so grateful for the Eritrean Diaspora Network scholarship, which has provided support from her Eritrean community. This scholarship helps her focus on her academic goals without the burden of financial stress, making it an invaluable resource for her education. Beteal’s primary goal is to engage in research that seeks on finding cures for diseases that currently lack treatments. Beteal is passionate about empowering Eritrean women who are interested in research, by providing them with the resources and support necessary to help in their academic and professional goals.
Giliad Dawite
Giliad Dawite is a sophomore Computer Science major at Howard University, from Washington, DC by way of Eritrea. Giliad aspires to become a full-stack software developer, focusing on creating innovative solutions that can drive positive change. He is truly grateful for the EDN Scholarship, which will help cover his tuition and support his academic journey. Giliad is passionate about technology’s potential to empower communities, especially in underserved areas. In the future, he plans to launch a free coding class for Eritrean youth, aiming to equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive and contribute to the Eritrean Diaspora. He believes that by providing access to coding education, he can help inspire young people to pursue careers in tech and become leaders in their communities. Through his studies and future initiatives, Giliad hopes to make a meaningful impact and strengthen connections within the Eritrean Diaspora community.
Yosan Mebrahtom
Yosan Mebrahtom is a sophomore at Georgia State University, majoring in Computer Science. She is extremely grateful for the generous scholarship, which will help cover the costs of her books and other necessities included in her tuition. She deeply appreciates this support, and plans to invest these funds wisely into her education. In addition to her academic pursuits, she actively volunteers her time at blood drives, homeless shelters, and various community service initiatives. Giving back is a passion of hers, and she believes in the importance of supporting those in need. Yosan’s future goal is to become a cybersecurity analyst, and she hopes to one day start her own cybersecurity internship program. This initiative would be aimed at helping immigrants and women succeed in the tech industry, offering them the resources and opportunities to thrive in a field where they are often underrepresented. In the future, she also plans to give back to her Eritrean community, paying forward the generosity that has been shown to her.
Yoel Mussie
Yoel Mussie is a freshman at North Carolina State University. He is double majoring in Business Administration and Economics with a minor in Information Technology. In the future, he plans to attend law school and ultimately work in international affairs. He is passionate in his hopes to bring widespread economic stability to underdeveloped parts of Africa through diplomacy. In his free time, he likes to volunteer in his local community and spend time with his family. All together, Yoel is extremely grateful for the opportunity EDN has provided him and plans to put his earnings towards his educational materials. Yoel wants to someday inspire and assist the Eritrean youth in a similar manner.
Ariana Tsegai
Ariana Tsegai is a junior at the University of Maryland, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy with a focus on Education Policy. Passionate about creating equitable educational opportunities, Ariana aims to address disparities in Maryland school systems through research and policy initiatives. With the support of the EDN scholarship, Ariana will collaborate with the Thurgood Marshall School of Public Policy on an independent research study to better understand and mitigate educational inequities in Montgomery and Prince George’s County. Ariana’s future goals are to apply the skills that she has gained to help support Eritrea’s educational system by encouraging inclusive policies that address systemic barriers to quality education for all Eritrean students. She hopes to contribute to meaningful reforms that will empower future generations and strengthen the educational infrastructure in Eritrea.
Dahai Yonas
Dahai Yonas is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, studying Neuroscience and Bioethics. Dahai is passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, with a deep desire to give back to the Eritrean community in the U.S. His goal is to focus on health services initiatives that address the unique healthcare barriers our community faces—like improving access to preventative care and health education. He also wants to combine and appreciate the traditional/religious healthcare practices deeply rooted in Eritrean households, while reconciling them with the advancements of Western medicine— an approach that respects both cultural heritage and modern healthcare today. In the future, Dahai also hopes to return to Eritrea to help strengthen healthcare infrastructure, making sure more people have access to quality care. He plans to use the funds for his medical school tuition, which will bring him closer to these aspirations. Dahai appreciates the opportunity and support provided by EDN!
Heran Tecleab
Heran Tecleab is a junior at Hunter College. She has always been passionate about healthcare and helping others, which is why she is majoring in human biology to become a Physician Assistant. She is incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the Eritrean Diaspora Network Scholarship, which she will use for textbooks and other academic fees, while also sharing this blessing with those in need. Living in New York City, she encounters many people daily who could benefit from this support. This scholarship alleviates Heran’s financial burdens, allowing her to focus more on her studies this semester and get closer to her dreams. Heran thanks EDN and everyone who supports this fund!
Tesfamariam Selam
Tesfamariam Selam is a graduate student at the University of Georgia, majoring in Social Work with a certificate in Substance Use Counseling. Tesfamariam is passionate about working with immigrants and refugees in the mental health and substance use field, providing culturally competent care that fosters understanding, inclusivity, and empowerment. Her goal is to create a space where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel seen, heard, and supported. By focusing on cultural awareness and providing holistic care, Tesfamariam hopes to bridge the gap between these communities and the services they need, ensuring that care is accessible and respectful of their diverse backgrounds. These funds will help Tesfamariam further her education and training, allowing her to better serve her communities with the equity and compassion they deserve.
Eritrea Negussie
Eritrea Negussie is a first-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. Eritrea is also a proud alumna of the University of Tennessee, where she studied Global Public Health in Eastern Africa. Her goal is to practice medicine and increase access to healthcare in underserved communities, both in the United States and in her homeland of Eritrea. With a strong interest in public health, Eritrea is particularly drawn to a career in obstetrics or primary care. This scholarship will support Eritrea’s living expenses and enable her to pursue research opportunities that align with her passion for improving healthcare access.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to our Scholarship Committee that worked hard to review applications and to our donors whose contributions are vital in helping us sustain this program. Thank you.
Onward and upward.