Safe Light Initiatives

It all started in a small town, surrounded by dense forests, situated in south-western Ethiopia called Mizan Teferi, Bench Maji Zone. A land full of lush forests, fertile lands, beautiful scenery, a variety of fruits, vegetables and organic coffee – drank & admired around the world. The local population depends almost entirely on agricultural produce but still lacks access to infrastructures & the right kind of education. It’s a place where tribal conflict has been prevalent & has become the norm over the past few years. 13-year-old girl Aster, was the daughter of a highly respected man who had four wives. She grew up in Mizan Teferi & didn’t have access to neither quality education nor opportunities for a better life. But most of all, she didn’t have the power to make her own decisions or options to choose from. Despite the lack of exposure to the outer world & the opportunities it presented, she always used to look at the students in the Mizan Tepi University campus & envy them. Aster was inspired by how the students talked, how they dressed & even how they spent time when enjoying themselves. As time went by she really began bonding with the students & they started to see her as their little sister. She had hopes of one day being like them, hopes of being able to go to college & feel some pride.