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Abdi Maawiye, MSW, RSW

Founder/Country Director, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ever since coming to Canada, Abdi dreamed of helping those he left behind in his home town of Kelafo, Ethiopia. He made that dream come true by establishing the international not-for-profit organization which has grown into a sustainable charity. - E4Change in 2009! Through grassroots mobilization, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives, E4Change is amplifying community voices and advocating for their rights to education, dignity, and opportunity. Abdi says, “I don’t know how long I will live, but as long as I am here, I will plant seeds.”

Abdihamid Ali Abdullahi, BA

Lead Mobile Resource Teacher, Kelafo, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abdihamid has been with E4Change since its inception in 2009. Abdihamid joined E4Change staff with several decades of experience as a teacher and school administrator. As the first mobile resource teacher, Abdihamid traveled to six villages every week with Breslau (the donkey) to provide resources and professional development to over 70 teachers each week. Although Breslau is no longer with E4Change, Abdihamid continues to serve the six villages: Kelafo (Hope Library), Goble, Doriko, Kalaman, Addis Kontrol, and Dunkason villages. Abdihamid is now supported in his work with the assistant lead teacher, Ahmed Kare Mohamed.

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Tigist Jemal Mohamed, BSC

Program Manager, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tigist is a young and energetic woman who has always been driven by her father's pride in her academic achievements. He believed in the power of education to open doors to success. His encouragement shaped her journey and now she is living her dream by working for an organization focused on child education and empowering young girls. Tigist joined E4Change in 2023 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree. Tigist stated, “Each day, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact and fulfill my father's vision for me by working with Education-4-Change.”

Dr. Lisa Devall-Martin, EdD, BEd, MM, OCT.

E4Change President, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Lisa resonates with Abdi’s passion and vision to reduce gender inequality by addressing barriers to education. She has extensive experience in elementary education, program design, management and implementation in Ontario, Canada. Lisa is passionate about global education and issues that affect women’s health and economic stability. She joined the E4Change board in 2016. “We work closely with local leaders, community-based organizations, and government agencies to identify needs and develop solutions that support the rights and interests of all, and it works!”