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A journey that transformed us all...
Lighting the Ethiopian Path began by transitioning youth into servant leaders through sports in Ethiopia and later expanded to create new opportunities for imprisoned children across East Africa.
Each of LEP's programs has been unique to the contexts of Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, informed by personal experience of overcoming obstacles specific to East African life, and based on enduring principles. We began with the idea of sportsmanship as a principle that crosses all borders with the power to dissolve hatred, an excellent foundation for change. Football war our initial tool of choice, not only because of its prevalence across the globe, but due to its unique power to engage communities of every background. At LEP, we have trained local coaches, mentored young leaders, and empowered youth with the life skills needed to overcome any obstacle. With the help of their team and community of local mentors, youth choose to take the steps needed to meet their goals, resolve conflicts without violence, respect all members of their community, make ethical and empathetic decisions, transition out of prison, and find their purpose in life. Local young adult mentors who understand the unique strengths and perspectives of each culture create change in mass through LEP programs.
In addition to sports, LEP has grown to use music, gymnastics, and vocational skills, amongst other tools, to connect with the passion of youth while caring for their most basic needs: health, nutrition, emotional support, spiritual growth, and academic opportunity. While walking, playing, and living this journey side by side with imprisoned children, we created lasting change.
Having spent almost 20 years creating change, we are passing the torch to our in-country partners and other local volunteers who care deeply for these children. Systemic change takes time, but it's been our deepest joy to walk this journey with so many who have made this change possible.
In this, LEP's final year, we look forward to the continued stories of lives transformed that will come from an investment of a lifetime.
CORE BELIEF
The choice to become part of change belongs to each of us. It is not forced from the outside, but the overflow of an inner desire to make a difference. Transformation is strongest when shared by those who also share your culture and its resources. This is why LEP believes deeply in local leadership. Our Executive Director and Founder is Ethiopian and grew up in Addis Ababa. He possesses a heightened understanding of the intricacies and complexities of life faced by youth where we work. Join him and our Ethiopian staff in empowering youth to blaze a new path.
