The Fregenet Foundation

Fall 2006

The Fregenet Foundation celebrated its third anniversary on September 17th, 2006, with a gala event in Los Angeles’s “Little Ethiopia” district attended by friends and supporters of the foundation. 

The Fregenet Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing early educational opportunities for needy children in Ethiopia. The Foundation’s school, the Fregenet Kidan Lehitsanat, opened its doors in 2004 with 31 students, and now serves over 100 students, ages 4-6, in Addis Ababa. 

Ato Endalkachew Abayneh served as Master of Ceremonies of the celebration, which opened with a presentation by Executive Director Elizabeth Asrat on the many successes of the previous year.  Following C.P.A. Feleke Teka’s income and expenditure report, photographer Irene Fertik presented a beautiful photo exhibit from her time at the school earlier last year.  In her photos, Ms. Fertik captured the hopes and dreams of the students—as well as their energy and curiosity. 

Guests were then given the opportunity to experience the children and the school first-hand through a short documentary film by Occidental graduate Yoana Stancheva.  Stancheva, a native of Bulgaria, spent several days at the school in Addis Ababa last year and interviewed many of the people involved in the organization, including Tafesse Woubshet and Fregenet’s grandmother, Mrs. Manalebish Kebede.  For sponsors, the inspiring documentary once again confirmed the worthiness of their investment in The Fregenet Foundation.

Ms. Mahlet Shimelis Amare, a UC Irvine student, sung a song about children which delighted the audience and after that raffle prizes were awarded.  First prize, won by Woineshet Tadelle, was a round trip ticket donated by Ethiopian Airlines from Washington D.C. to Addis Ababa.  Second prize was an iPod, won by Miriam Simmons, and third prize was a weekend Hilton Hotel get-away, won by Yeshi Tekleab.

Five dedicated supporters of The Fregenet Foundation were honored with certificates at the celebration: The Korean Western Presbyterian Church; USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa); Irene Fertik; Yoana Stancheva; and Endalkachew Abayneh.  Forw