Ayole Waritu is Secretary of Gadab Foundation

Born in a small town called Assassa, in Oromia, Ayole came to the United Sates in 1999. She is freshman at the University of Oregon. In honor of her outstanding educational achievements, she has been awarded a full ride academic scholarship from the University of Oregon. Some of the scholarships include but are not limited to Gates Millennium Scholarship, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship , University of Oregon Diversity-Building Scholarship, University of Oregon Dean’s Scholarship and Ford Family Scholarship. Ayole is 4.0 student and is a member of National Honor Society. She is a 2005 National Society of High School Scholars Academic Achievement and Excellence Award recipient. She also received the Oregon State Achievement Award in 2004. And she has recently been accepted to the Society of College Scholars at the University of Oregon.

As a four-year active member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Ayole has gained insights about her career goals through health related classes and internships during her high school years. Her strong interest in medicine, her overall intelligence and comfort level with health science guides her to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Ayole’s ambition after college is to attend Medical School and follow her dream of helping those in need. “My passion in life has always been to help others when they are in need. When people are suffering and believe there is no help, I want to be able to reach out to them and comfort them,” Ayole comments.

Giving back to her school and community means a lot to Ayole. At her high school, Ayole is a mentor. She helps the incoming freshmen students adapt to the high school life. Through her involvement in the Multnomah Youth Commission (MYC), she is also able to enhance her leadership skills by

providing a voice for the youth. Her many volunteer activities include working with patients at Emanuel Hospital, Providence Hospital, American Red Cross, Mt. St. Joseph Medical Center, and the Veterans Hospital. Ayole currently volunteers at the Multnomah County Library as a Computer Lab Assistant helping diverse population of library patrons acquire basic computer skills. As a result of her great commitment to her community involvements, Ayole has received numerous awards including the Barbara James National Service Award.

Most impressive about Ayole is her strong commitment for helping to change the lack of education that runs in the Oromo society, and set a new model of education for the upcoming generation. She says, “I feel very fortunate of the tremendous opportunities America has to offer me, and it is my
obligation to give back to those whom this opportunity has missed.” Her determination and dedication to helping the students back home through Gadab Foundation Scholarship Program also has great potential. Ayole comments, “Education in America will facilitate me to fulfill a duty that many of my people were not allowed to.”

Ayole’s favorite quote is: “ Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them.” (John Ruskin)

Ayole may be reached by e-mail at ayole@gadabfoundation.org