Yibeltal joined the program in 2014 as a shy 10 year old boy. Back then, Yibeltal’s family couldn’t make ends meet and he was at risk of dropping out of school due to financial hardship. At the time Yibeltal’s mom had suffered from chronic health issues making it hard for her to work and provide for the family. Joining Brave Hearts changed the trajectory of his life. Today he is a 22 year old passionate young man in his 2nd year of college on his way to earning his Diploma in Film Making.

Yibeltal loves filming and editing videos. He creates his own content on his YouTube channel. He has become an inspiration for the younger children in our program where he was able to nurture his passion and talent.

Yibeltal’s friends see him as a leader as he confidently hosted and MC’d many events at Brave Hearts. Working closely with our social worker to build his self confidence, Yibeltal became a fantastic public speaker, proudly sharing his ideas and showcasing his talent in drama, art and dance.

His favorite part of our program is the group counseling sessions on Saturdays where he shares his ideas and learns life skills along with his Brave Hearts family.

Yibeltal aspires to become a well known film director and producer, taking inspiration from global directors such as Christopher Nolan. Through the support of a Brave Hearts’ board member, Yibeltal is now undertaking a paid internship as an AI video editor at a renowned media studio.

The story doesn’t end there, Yibeltal’s mom was the first recipient of loans from the guardian microfinance association supported by Brave Hearts. From selling a few veggies at the ‘Gulit’ market she has now expanded her small business and started selling injera. She now has health support and is able to sustain her household through her small business.

Yibeltal has not only thrived but also gives back by teaching the younger children digital tools and computer literacy. Yibeltal’s journey is a true testament that our program’s holistic support empowers children to unleash their potential and truly thrive.