Dr. Abebayehu Messele Mekonnen (PhD)
Dr. Abebayehu founded FANA in 2014; and has since been serving as a managing director and chief rehabilitation officer for learning and language disabilities. Under Dr. Abebayehu’s leadership, FANA has been able to carry out, inter alia, extensive outreaches, (on-job) trainings, provision of center- and school-based supports to children having a range of learning and communication needs. For his outstanding services, Dr. Abebayehu has been recognised by Oak Foundation as one of the few remarkable people who have benefited from Oak funding and helped others. Dr. Abebayehu earned his doctoral degree in Clinical Linguistics, from the University of Sheffield, UK.
Abiyou Asnake (Cert., LLB, MA)
Abiyou co-founded FANA in 2014 and began his job as a project manager and service delivery officer. Abiyou in particular has been largely involved in awareness creation and professional development trainings, public outreach and stakeholder networking activities. In addition to his Law degree, Abiyou is certified in specific learning disabilities and obtained MA in Special Needs Education from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Abiyou’s areas of interest include: specific learning disabilities, memory, attention, processing speed and behavioural issues. Currently, Abiyu works mainly with children and sults having speciic learning disabilites as well as those with attential and behavoural issues.
Nati Gebre (Cert., BA, MA)
Nati co-founded FANA in 2014 and began her job as a chief service delivery officer and administrator. Her roles in programme planning and execution include: providing awareness creation, professional development trainings and centre-based service provision. On top of these duties, Nati also handles administrative responsibilities of overseeing Human Resources and Organizational functions. Nati is certified in specific learning disabilities and has also got her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. Nati is interested in and works on a issues of (specific) learning and neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional, behavoural and mental health, disability and family life, particularly maternal mental health.
Aschalew A. Demisse (Cert., BA, MA)
Aschalew joined FANA in 2017 as a fundraising and resource mobilisation officer. Later, he has also taken additional roles in project design, execution, monitoring and evaluation as well as capacity building. Aschalew has a BA in Sociology, MA in Social Psychology and is a PhD candidate in Social Work. He has also earned Certificates and Advanced Diplomas in Dyslexia Understanding, Advances in Down Syndrome. Aschalew is interested inovercoming the pycho-social and structural barriers of individuals with disability. He is also an advocate for context-relevant Early Childhood Care and Education and play therapy/learning for young children with or whithout disabilities. Currently Aschalew works mainly with children and adults with specific learning disabilities as well as with those having issues with attention, behaviour, and motor and coortination.
Eden B. Maru (Cert., Dip., BSc)
Eden joined FANA in 2014 as a caregiver and assistant tutor. Over the years, Eden has worked with a number of children and teens having various learning, communication and/or neurodevelopmental issues. Having completed FANA’s Professional Development Course, Eden is currently working as a rehabilitation officer in the organisation. Eden has a Diploma and BSc in Clinical Nursing. Eden currently works with children reading and writing difficulties as well children and adults with speech-language impairments. Eden also serves the center as a first aider.
Lidiya G. Bireda (Cert., Dip., BA)
Genet Andersa (Cert., Dip., BSc)
Genet joined FANA in 2015 as a caregiver and assistant tutor. Genet has been working with children and teens with learning, communication and/or neurodevelopmental issues. She has completed FANA’s Professional Development Course and is currently working as a rehabilitation officer in the organisation. As Genet also has a BA in Marketing Management, she is involved in FANA’s resource mobilisation and marketing activities. Currently, Genet works with children and adults having speech-language, specific learning disabilities as well as with those having neurodevelopmental issues.
Melesech Gelanew (Cert.)
Melesech joined FANA in 2014 as an assistant caregiver. She has been involved in the intervention programme for children with learning and communication difficulties. Melesech is currently taking FANA’s Professional Development Course to enhance her capacity and realise her personal and professional development goals. Melesech currently works with children reading and writing difficulties as well children and adults with speech-language impairments.
Hiwot Tilahun (Cert. BA)
Hiwot joined FANA in 2021 as a caregiver. Her major roles include assisting children with basic needs, ensuring their safety and well being, supervise and implement a structured learning environment. Currently, Hiwot is taking FANA's Professional Development course to work independently as a rehabilitation officer.
Wubetae Denbu (Cert., Dip.)
Wubetae joined FANA in 2015 as a finance officer. He is responsible for handling FANA’s financial activities including budgeting, planning, reporting, tax filings and audits. Wubetae has a Diploma in Accounting and Finance and BA in Financial Management.
Frehiwot Ayele (Cert., Dip., BA)
Frehiwot joined FANA in 2015 as an executive secretary. Having completed FANA’s Professional Development Course, she has assumed a dual role of handling secretarial tasks as well as providing help and support to children with learning and communication difficulties. In addition to her training in learning and communication disabilities, Frehiwot also has a Diploma in Secretarial and Office Management and BA in Management. Ferehiwot currently works with children reading and writing difficulties as well children and adults with speech-language and mild hearing impairments.
Yidnekachew Tamirat (BSc)
Yidnekachew has been working with FANA since 2014 as a Freelance Web Developer. He is also the main resource person in charge of the technological aspects of projects aimed at transforming our activities into automated and digital formats.
Alemitu Masre Worku
Kebede Abebe Reta
Yiwega Nadew Gebre
