Werknehs road to college
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
Some of you may know about my long journey from a mud house in rural Ethiopia, to an orphanage in Addis Ababa and eventually to Los Angeles for life saving surgeries. Until I was 9 years old, I had no use of my hands. After many surgeries, I could go to school, write, play sports and live a normal life.
In September 2016, while I was in the United States recovering from surgery, I expressed a desire to remain in the United States because I feared for my life in Ethiopia. Even though I now have functioning hands, my hands don't appear normal. In Ethiopia, people with visible disabilities are targeted for persecution. Early in 2016, I was badly beaten and believe it was because of my hands. I have since filed for asylum in the United States.
I have worked hard to make the most of this opportunity. Due to the generous support of many of you, I have experienced life as an American teenager. In the past year and a half, I am proud to have accomplished many goals, including earning two varsity letters for soccer and track, performing in a school play, writing and being selected to present a TEDx talk and a pre-graduation speech to my senior class, earning a spot in the Science, Technology Engineering and Math Summer Program at California Lutheran University and graduating from Westlake High School.
I am so excited that I've been accepted to the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) at Azusa Pacific University. This one-year program will enable me to gain the English language skills I need to help me succeed in college. Since ALCI is a competitive program for international students that want to go to an American university, they do not offer scholarships. In order to attend this program, I need to raise $25,000.00 which includes tuition, room & board, food, books and fees by August 1.
Someday, my dream is to travel the world to help kids with with difficult medical problems. Your generosity will be incredibly appreciated and will allow me to begin the next chapter of my life, learning necessary skills, while attending this fine program.
If you are able, here is a way you can help make my amazing opportunity before me possible:
Please make a donation here in my Go Fund Me account...Thank you for your consideration! I am so grateful! And thank you to all who have helped me already pave the way for this opportunity and allow me to become the person I only have ever dreamed of!
Finally...please see here the link for my TEDx Speech that just came out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21gTYwoloL0
AND at the end of the letter...special words from some of the amazing people who have helped me and known me since I started coming here 9 years ago…
Dorothy Lucey
What a road Werkneh has walked. And with each step he has helped others. He came here to heal his hands...and he gave us the gift of walking in his shoes. He has shown us what matters most... determination, education and a smile.
Susie Kulber Laffer
On my birthday in 2016, I learned that Werkneh was afraid to return to Ethiopia and wanted to seek asylum in the United States. He needed a host family to live with and help him finish high school. We had met Werkneh a few times over the years since my brother is Werkneh’s hand surgeon. We were always inspired by his positive attitude,
enthusiasm and gratitude. On the way to my birthday dinner, I told my husband, Larry, about Werkneh’s needs and my desire to help him by inviting him to live with us. Without hesitation, Larry said it felt like the right thing to do, and we made a commitment to do what we could to give Werkneh the opportunity to complete his high school education.
From the first day, Werkneh told us that he dreamed of going to high school in the U.S., playing soccer and improving his English so he could tell his story and inspire others. Since Werkneh had no education until he was 9 years old, very limited English language skills, and no prior athletic coaching, he had a lot of catching up to do to achieve his dreams. Because of the timing of his surgery and recovery, he was unable to enroll in school the first semester of his junior year. He worked hard to make up the credits by taking online and summer school classes.
After enrolling in Westlake High School, Werkneh quickly made friends with many of the staff and students, and got involved with several clubs and sports. He landed spots on a Conejo Galaxy Club team and on the Westlake High School Varsity team (honored at the Senior banquet with the Coach’s Award). Werkneh spent many hours working with a speech therapist to help improve his speaking skills. He was selected to deliver a TEDx talk (link below) and an inspiring pre-graduation speech, receiving a standing ovation from his peers and teachers!
Werkneh has endeared himself to our friends, neighbors, extended family and pets! We are so proud of all Werkneh has accomplished. Knowing and loving Werkneh has enriched our lives. We hope you can find it in your heart to help him continue to achieve his dreams.
Nancy Spitz-Bittan
I met Werkneh through his surgeon right after his complex and life saving surgery nine years ago. Right away I knew he was special! He has been through so much but remains positive , open and a magnet for all that meet him. He is special , hard working and deserves an opportunity that he would not have in the dangerous area he comes
from in Ethiopia.
I have been involved with Werkneh in trying to obtain Asylum here . He graduated High School last month when at age 9 he never read a book and didn’t know English! He is an inspiration to me and my family and all that know him!
Some of you may know about my long journey from a mud house in rural Ethiopia, to an orphanage in Addis Ababa and eventually to Los Angeles for life saving surgeries. Until I was 9 years old, I had no use of my hands. After many surgeries, I could go to school, write, play sports and live a normal life.
In September 2016, while I was in the United States recovering from surgery, I expressed a desire to remain in the United States because I feared for my life in Ethiopia. Even though I now have functioning hands, my hands don't appear normal. In Ethiopia, people with visible disabilities are targeted for persecution. Early in 2016, I was badly beaten and believe it was because of my hands. I have since filed for asylum in the United States.
I have worked hard to make the most of this opportunity. Due to the generous support of many of you, I have experienced life as an American teenager. In the past year and a half, I am proud to have accomplished many goals, including earning two varsity letters for soccer and track, performing in a school play, writing and being selected to present a TEDx talk and a pre-graduation speech to my senior class, earning a spot in the Science, Technology Engineering and Math Summer Program at California Lutheran University and graduating from Westlake High School.
I am so excited that I've been accepted to the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) at Azusa Pacific University. This one-year program will enable me to gain the English language skills I need to help me succeed in college. Since ALCI is a competitive program for international students that want to go to an American university, they do not offer scholarships. In order to attend this program, I need to raise $25,000.00 which includes tuition, room & board, food, books and fees by August 1.
Someday, my dream is to travel the world to help kids with with difficult medical problems. Your generosity will be incredibly appreciated and will allow me to begin the next chapter of my life, learning necessary skills, while attending this fine program.
If you are able, here is a way you can help make my amazing opportunity before me possible:
Please make a donation here in my Go Fund Me account...Thank you for your consideration! I am so grateful! And thank you to all who have helped me already pave the way for this opportunity and allow me to become the person I only have ever dreamed of!
Finally...please see here the link for my TEDx Speech that just came out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21gTYwoloL0
AND at the end of the letter...special words from some of the amazing people who have helped me and known me since I started coming here 9 years ago…
Dorothy Lucey
What a road Werkneh has walked. And with each step he has helped others. He came here to heal his hands...and he gave us the gift of walking in his shoes. He has shown us what matters most... determination, education and a smile.
Susie Kulber Laffer
On my birthday in 2016, I learned that Werkneh was afraid to return to Ethiopia and wanted to seek asylum in the United States. He needed a host family to live with and help him finish high school. We had met Werkneh a few times over the years since my brother is Werkneh’s hand surgeon. We were always inspired by his positive attitude,
enthusiasm and gratitude. On the way to my birthday dinner, I told my husband, Larry, about Werkneh’s needs and my desire to help him by inviting him to live with us. Without hesitation, Larry said it felt like the right thing to do, and we made a commitment to do what we could to give Werkneh the opportunity to complete his high school education.
From the first day, Werkneh told us that he dreamed of going to high school in the U.S., playing soccer and improving his English so he could tell his story and inspire others. Since Werkneh had no education until he was 9 years old, very limited English language skills, and no prior athletic coaching, he had a lot of catching up to do to achieve his dreams. Because of the timing of his surgery and recovery, he was unable to enroll in school the first semester of his junior year. He worked hard to make up the credits by taking online and summer school classes.
After enrolling in Westlake High School, Werkneh quickly made friends with many of the staff and students, and got involved with several clubs and sports. He landed spots on a Conejo Galaxy Club team and on the Westlake High School Varsity team (honored at the Senior banquet with the Coach’s Award). Werkneh spent many hours working with a speech therapist to help improve his speaking skills. He was selected to deliver a TEDx talk (link below) and an inspiring pre-graduation speech, receiving a standing ovation from his peers and teachers!
Werkneh has endeared himself to our friends, neighbors, extended family and pets! We are so proud of all Werkneh has accomplished. Knowing and loving Werkneh has enriched our lives. We hope you can find it in your heart to help him continue to achieve his dreams.
Nancy Spitz-Bittan
I met Werkneh through his surgeon right after his complex and life saving surgery nine years ago. Right away I knew he was special! He has been through so much but remains positive , open and a magnet for all that meet him. He is special , hard working and deserves an opportunity that he would not have in the dangerous area he comes
from in Ethiopia.
I have been involved with Werkneh in trying to obtain Asylum here . He graduated High School last month when at age 9 he never read a book and didn’t know English! He is an inspiration to me and my family and all that know him!
Organizer and beneficiary
Werkneh Ourga
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Nancy Bittan
Beneficiary
