Together We Can
Empower the
Next Generation
We provide grants and scholarships to talented students from the Omo Valley, helping them pursue high school, university, and graduate education. Our scholarship recipients have included the first doctor from the Nyangatom, several veterinary students, and nearly a twenty others who are making meaningful contributions in their fields. See some of our awardees below!
We rely on donor support to help these students. As a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)(3) organization all deductions are tax-exempt, please consider making a donation today!
Meet our Current Scholarship Students
Aster Kebede
Aster is entering her second year as a management student at Parkland College in Arba Minch. She is a passionate football player (soccer) and plays on a local team.
Bereket Halgete Dinola
Bereket is a 3rd year journalism student from the Hamar studying at Bule Hora University. He's passionate about personal growth and development.
Biri Sago
Biri is entering his final year as an accounting and finance B.S. student at Jinka University. He is a proud father of two young daughters.
Dessalegn Tekle
Dessalegn is a PhD student in civil engineering at Addis Ababa University. He's also been quoted in The Atlantic Magazine on development in the Omo Valley.
Elisabeth Sameul
Elisabeth is a second years student studying marketing and management as Parkland College. She loves to read and cook for her family.
Elisa Kaysara
Elisa is from Dimeka and a sophomore year student at Wolaita Sodo ATVET College.
Hayto Muga
Hayto is a third year student in veterinary medicine at Jinka University, while also raising several children.
Idiya Askoa
Idiya is an engineering student at Jimma University who hopes to become a software engineer after graduation.
Lalinga Lokuariya
Lalinga is a student at Bonga University in the first-year program for natural science.
Lesho Bordo
Lesho is a Masters student studying geological sciences at Arba Minch University.
Lokriop Ejem
Lokripo is a first year student at Dilla University. She enjoys listening to music, singing, and helping her family.
Lolimo Lotabo
Loly is a second year engineering student from the Nyangatom studying at Dire Dawa University.
Lotogoi Iriama
Lotogoi is a first-year student at Bongo University studying agricultural economics. He hopes to one day work in rural development.
Lotak Lobulott
Lokak is in his fourth-year studying Accounting and Finance at Arba Minch University. Before starting university, he worked as an adminstrator for the Nyangatom woreda.
Lowos Tikapel
Lowos is in the second year of his B.A. studying social anthropology at Jinka University. He also has a young daughter.
Mary Loyelei
Mary is studying social work at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology. She enjoys crocheting clothes and playing music.
Maya Shansho
Maya is a third year veterinary student at Wolaita Sodo University. He is also the father of two children.
Mana Erupe Iwoo
Mana is a first-year natural science student at Kebri Dehar University.
Melat Kamarikor
Melu is working towards her Bachelor's degree in Tourism and Hotel Management at Jinka University.
Metsnant Abebe
Metsnant is studying natural science at Jimma University. She enjoys knowledge-based activities such as reading and taking courses online.
Mulugeta Gelebo
Mulugeta is a 4th year student from Hamar studying English language and literature education at Dilla University.
Naputey Losekona
Naputey is studying agriculture at the Alage Agricultural and Technical College. She is passionate about advancing agricultural development in the Omo Valley.
Naito Ekal Netir
Naito is working towards her BSc in Medical Laboratory Sciences at Wachemo University. She is also very interested in modeling.
Dr. Soya Lasbuk
Soya completed his MD in the spring of 2025 and is in his internship year working at Jimma Hospital.
Tesfaye Edjem Tkapel
Tesfaye Edjem Tkapel is a PhD student in Animal Production at Arba Minch University. Originally from the Nyangatom community, he is completing the final experiments for his doctoral research on dietary variation and livestock health.
Our Success Stories--Recent OVRP Graduates
Soya Lasbuk
Dr. Soya Lasbuk is the first doctor from the Nyangatom after graduating from Jimma University in the Spring of 2025. This is an immense achievement in a region where few people have access to any education. His success was made possible by the support of the Omo Valley Research Project. Soya is now completing his internship year at Jimma Hospital where he especially enjoys emergency and tropical medicine. He's also a proud husband and father to two young children
Building Connections
If you or someone you know would be a good fit for a scholarship, you can apply below. We review applications three times a year, on July 1st, October 1st, and March 1st.
