“I know that we are among the least educated people in the country. This is not because we don’t like to learn but because we don’t have the opportunities to do so. As I see children in other areas go to school, I ask myself why aren’t our children doing the same?”
Our story
Habib Wogris is the Chairman of the Burtele Subdistrict. He is a thoughtful, forward-thinking leader who could see that their traditional way of life will not be sustainable for the long term, given the increased frequency and severity of the droughts in the region. He believes that education is the key to the sustainability of their future and has a vision for a prosperous and educated population, but could not see a way forward given the lack of schools, resources and remoteness of the region. In 2012, he approached Dr. Haile-Selassie to help him realize his vision. The people of Waki and Waytaleyta Villages have been an integral part of Dr. Haile-Selassie’s research since 2004 when he began conducting field research in the area and established the Woranso-Mille Research Project and he was inspired by the vision that Chairman Wogris articulated. Ko-K-Yo Foundation is the result of Dr. Haile-Selassie's commitment to those who have been helping him over the last ten years make some of the most important fossil discoveries for understanding human origins.
Our passion for the region’s heritage means a passion for its future. The people of the Afar are facing an uncertain future and we aim to assist our friends in the region to be equipped to face that future. A literate youth population and thriving local businesses are essential tools for building wealth at a digestible and sustainable scale for the community. From there, the community will be in a better position to take ownership over their future and their engagement with the outside world, which for better or for worse will effect their lives.
Ko-K-Yo Foundation aims to empower those at the margins and provide hope for a better future for all of us.
Our goals
Achieve 90% literacy rate in children aged 12 and under (in Afar and Amharic)
Empower the women through education and entrepreneurship
OUR tactics
Establish a free school for the children of the Waki and Waytaleyta Villages
Create culturally appropriate storybooks in the Afar language
Provide free training programs in basic business skills and functional literacy to adult women of the community
Provide microfinancing for initial capital to emerging businesses
Please see our Projects page for more information.