A community-led nonprofit uniting the diaspora to transform education, healthcare, agriculture, and livelihoods across Gurage Zone.
Every dollar raised, every program funded, every life improved. All in service of one community, one vision, and one enduring promise to the people of Ezha.
Education
Reaching nearly 20,000 students across all 38 primary schools in Ezha Woreda with curriculum-aligned books — recognized as a model by the Central Ethiopia Region.
Healthcare
Life-saving machinery — anaesthesia machines, patient monitors, incubators — donated to Agena Primary Hospital serving 800,000+ people.
Agriculture
Modern farm machinery advancing agricultural mechanization, boosting food production and economic empowerment for Ezha farming families.
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Your membership directly funds development projects in Ezha. Every contribution brings another family closer to a brighter future.
A name rooted in hope. Gaber means "dawn" in Guragigna — and we rise every day to make that dawn real for the Ezha community.
Gaber Support Group in North America, Inc (GSG-NA) is a community-led nonprofit organization dedicated to building a brighter future for the people of Ezha District in Ethiopia's Gurage Zone. Together, we invest in people, strengthen communities and create opportunities for lasting positive change.
The name Gaber is rooted in Guragigna language and means MAY A NEW DAY DAWN UPON US. It embodies the community's enduring hope, optimism and shared aspiration for a brighter future.
To leverage its transformative impact in Ezha District, GSG-NA partners with Gaber Yebego Adragot Dirijit (GYAD), a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating the multiple socio-economic challenges in Ezha District of Gurage Zone, Ethiopia.
Gaber Support Group in North America envisions playing a significant role in driving positive change and improving the quality of life across the Ezha region through careful design and effective implementation of appropriate interventions in collaboration with our development partners.
The primary mission of Gaber Support Group in North America, Inc. (GSG-NA) is to support the mission of Gaber Yebego Adragot Dirigit, a nonprofit organization established in Ethiopia to enhance the quality of life in Ezha Woreda, Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia, by addressing deeply entrenched socio-economic problems including high unemployment, youth migration, food insecurity, lack of clean water and energy, poor quality of education, youth substance abuse, inadequate health care, and gender inequality.
Completed projects showcasing real change brought to Ezha Woreda through the generosity of our members and donors.
Gaber Yebego Adragot Dirijit (GYAD) is a non-profit organization also established in Ethiopia to improve the difficult living conditions of the people of Ezha in Gurage Zone. Not surprisingly, therefore, the two organizations have similar missions. It is also noteworthy that the founding of Gaber Support Group in North America (GSG-NA) was inspired by the establishment of GYAD in Ethiopia. Therefore, while the two organizations operate independently, they collaborate closely because of the strong alignment and shared purpose of their undertakings. In recognition of this partnership, we are pleased to highlight below several key collaborative initiatives undertaken in Ezha by Gaber Yebego Adragot Dirijit (GYAD) and Gaber Support Group in North America (GSG-NA).
Prior to this initiative, primary school students in Ezha Woreda had no textbooks aligned to the new national curriculum. Gaber organized a major fundraising drive, raising over ETB 5 million from members, supplemented by existing funds to reach a total investment of ETB 10,350,961. The result: 50,000 textbooks and teacher guidebooks printed and distributed to all 38 primary schools. The Central Ethiopia Region recognized this as a model initiative to be replicated across the region.
ETB 4.5 million invested to equip Agena Hospital with life-saving technology: anaesthesia machines, OR tables, OR lights, electrosurgical units, patient monitors, infant radiant warmers, incubators, phototherapy machines, and electrocardiography equipment. The hospital serves over 800,000 people from Ezha and four neighbouring Woredas.
Gaber facilitated the procurement and deployment of four tractors — two 85HP and two 10HP — to advance agricultural mechanization in Ezha Woreda. Subsistence farming is the primary livelihood for most families, and this support directly boosts crop production and food security across the Woreda.
Over three rounds, Gaber distributed reusable washable sanitary pads to every female student from Grade 6 through Grade 12 and Agena Construction & Industrial College. Each set is designed to serve a girl for an entire school year, removing a critical barrier to attendance and academic performance. Budget: ETB 2,683,000.
Gaber's first major act of giving — funded by a 250,000 ETB donation from Artist Abraham Wolde and family — delivered blankets to 450 of the most vulnerable members of the Ezha community. Recipients were carefully selected in cooperation with local administrative and sector offices.
A diverse collection of 2,383 general knowledge and reference books donated to six secondary schools and Agena Industrial and Construction College — sourced through in-kind donations, Gaber purchases, and contributions from Zagol Book Bank. Total investment: over ETB 550,000.
A comprehensive six-day training program for middle and secondary school teachers in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, and General Pedagogy. Topics included classroom management, active learning, technology integration, and pedagogical techniques. 152 teachers benefited.
A landmark community dialogue organized across all 28 rural Kebeles and Agena town — bringing together over 15,000 community members to discuss cultural values, ethical development, and the future of the Gurage community. Socio-cultural, Ethics, and Development committees were established in all 29 Kebeles.
Motivational sessions for 1,680 Grade 12 students over three years. 100 university-bound students received awards of ETB 10,000–15,000; 320 students received transport allowances of ETB 3,000 each. Over 320 students enrolled at Agena Construction and Industrial College — a historic enrollment milestone.
Gaber printed and distributed 123 Level-I and 247 Level-II Guragigna textbooks to all 80 community-managed preschool centres — before this, the centres had no books at all. The initiative preserved the local language while directly benefiting 1,836 preschool children.
Projects we are planning and actively working to fund. Your support makes each one real.
Consistent with its mission, GSG-NA supports projects that contribute to improving the quality of life of the people of Ezha. We are delighted to report that the donations collected from members and supporters of GSG-NA have been used to support a range of development initiatives in Ezha District in collaboration with Gaber Yebego Adragot Dirigit in Ethiopia. These include the purchase of tractors, acquisition of textbooks for elementary and secondary schools, the procurement of essential medical supplies, and the purchase of sanitary pads for schoolgirls.
There is a pressing need for additional resources to sustain and expand these efforts. Your support will help address many critical challenges and achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of the people across Ezha District.
Agena Primary Hospital serves over 800,000 people but faces critical shortfalls: no neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), insufficient operating rooms, no X-ray imaging, no blood transfusion services, and inadequate emergency supplies. This project addresses these gaps through targeted equipment procurement, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity-building training for healthcare professionals. Priority: OR unit, NICU, and emergency unit.
Agena Polytechnic College's Garment Production Department relies on outdated machinery that hinders effective training. This project will procure modern sewing machines and provide capacity-building training for 68 trainees and 5 trainers — equipping youth with marketable skills and fostering self-employment in the textile sector.
Building on the initial tractor deployment, this expanded project further mechanizes farming through additional machinery support, farmer training, and agricultural extension services. The Woreda has abundant fertile land with significant unrealized potential for cereal crops, enset, mango, avocado, and pineapple. Funded in partnership with Gaber Support Group in North America.
An 18-month education project targeting all 38 primary and 6 secondary schools in Ezha Woreda. Outcomes include expanded textbook supply (16,716 books for Grade 1–6), continued sanitary pad distribution, enhanced teacher training, tutorial programs, and increased community and parent engagement.
Field assessments of four irrigation potential areas and three potable water projects have been completed. The next phase moves from assessment to construction — bringing clean drinking water and irrigation infrastructure to communities relying on unsafe water sources, addressing urgent health and agricultural challenges.
Construction and renovation of the public library in Agena Town is underway, with a book collection campaign that has gathered 2,000+ books. In parallel, the "X-Less Society" program with ERGEB education company delivers a rapid-impact curriculum to 186 teachers and 3,152 students across Agena schools.
Visionary leaders with deep roots in Ezha Woreda and decades of experience across aviation, humanitarian work, healthcare, and community leadership.
Chief Air Traffic Controller in the Ethiopian Aviation Industry for over 20 years, managing supervision, training, and statistical oversight. Led the Ethiopian Air Traffic Controllers Association for 4 years and organized the African Middle East Air Traffic Controllers Conference. Former General Secretary of the Ezha Woreda self-help organization. Led a fundraising campaign that rebuilt 17 homes destroyed by fire in Ezha Woreda. His dedication makes him an inspiring force for Gaber Support Group in North America.
Tigineh Mersha, PhD, Professor Emeritus at the University of Baltimore in Maryland, USA. He earned a BBA from Addis Ababa University and both an MBA and a PhD from the University of Cincinnati.
During his extensive academic career at Illinois State University and the University of Baltimore, Dr. Mersha taught undergraduate and graduate business courses while conducting research in operations management. At the University of Baltimore, he served as Chair of the Department of Management and International Business for a decade.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Mersha has provided management consulting and executive training in continuous performance improvement for senior managers and professionals in both Ethiopia and the United States. He has also supported development initiatives in Ethiopia with a particular focus on improving the quality of education in rural communities.
Dr. Muluemebet Ketete is an experienced medical doctor and cardiovascular research professional with over 30 years of expertise in clinical care, cardiac rehabilitation, and clinical research. She earned her medical degree from Havana University in Cuba in 1984 and began her career as a General Practitioner at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she served for a decade.
She later continued her career in the United States at Howard University Hospital, where she held multiple roles — including Cardiac Rehab Coordinator and Clinical Research Coordinator — for over 20 years. She currently serves as a Cardiovascular Research Scientist, focusing on the evaluation, analysis, and reporting of cardiac safety data for clinical trials.
She has contributed to numerous scientific publications on cardiovascular health, is fluent in Amharic, English, and Spanish, and is an active member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). She also serves as Treasurer for Inspire Ethiopia, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to quality education in rural Ethiopia.
Cardiovascular Technologist (BSC) based in Boston, Massachusetts. His true passion is finding ways to give back to the community — believing that even small acts of kindness make a massive impact. Dedicated to Gaber Support Group in North America's organizing team, he uses his organizational skills to help provide support to those in need. For Yohannes, helping people isn't just a hobby — it's a calling.
A dedicated board member of Gaber Support Group in North America contributing to governance, strategic direction, and community outreach. Committed to advancing Gaber's mission of serving the Ezha community through integrated development programs across education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
Feleke Shebeta worked for Ethiopian Airlines in the Medical Unit as an Administrative Assistant for 20 years. He graduated from Unity University with a degree in Marketing Management and is currently working for Amazon.
We are always looking for passionate professionals to volunteer their expertise for the Ezha community.
Join a growing community of diaspora and supporters committed to transforming Ezha Woreda. Your membership is a pledge for brighter days.
Gaber was built on voluntary membership. Every member who joins Gaber Support Group in North America directly powers projects changing lives in Ezha Woreda. Members can contribute through regular dues, one-time pledges, or in-kind support.
Receive regular updates, audit reports, and impact stories showing exactly how your contributions are used.
Members participate in key organizational decisions, shaping Gaber's strategic direction and priority projects.
Connect with passionate diaspora professionals who share your commitment to the Gurage community's development.
Your membership funds real projects — textbooks in children's hands, medical equipment saving lives, tractors feeding families.
Members are recognized at community events and annual gatherings celebrating Gaber's milestones.
Be part of a historic movement — building a structured, lasting institution for Ezha for generations to come.
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940 Taylor Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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