Crenati Foundation Supporting International Students Scholarship

Back home in Kumasi, Ghana, I saw what it means to dream with limits. My cousins and I would sit around, curious about the world, but with no laptop, no access, and no exposure. I remember drawing diagrams on a chalkboard just to explain what a computer could do. That was the moment I promised myself that if I ever had the chance to learn, I would not keep it to myself. I would use it to create pathways for others. Now I am studying computer science, focusing on building solutions and exploring entrepreneurship. My education is not just for me. It is a tool I want to take back home. I know the value of what I am receiving, and I see how it can transform communities in Ghana where opportunities are scarce. I want to use technology to close those gaps. Whether it is developing affordable platforms that give students access to digital skills, or building projects that spark curiosity, my goal is simple. I want to give others the opportunity I once longed for. Beyond technology, I believe in people. Mentorship has been at the core of my journey. As a peer mentor with YAF Ghana, I guided students through the challenges of scholarship applications, personal essays, and college searches. I watched fellows who doubted themselves grow confident enough to apply for opportunities they never imagined they could achieve. Those experiences taught me that sometimes the most important gift you can give someone is belief. That same spirit has shaped my own story, and it is why I continue to mentor youth whenever I can. I have also worked on projects that allowed me to put my learning into practice. Through CodePath’s web development and technical interview programs, I learned how to create responsive websites, build software solutions, and strengthen problem solving skills. At UNC I worked on projects that pushed me to think differently about coding, such as designing games, developing calculators, and exploring artificial intelligence modules. Each of these experiences was not just about learning to code. They were about learning how to solve problems that matter. I want to carry that mindset into the work I do in Ghana by creating technology that is relevant, practical, and accessible. At the same time, I also care deeply about the social and health challenges my community faces. I created Silent Voices, a movement that sheds light on abusive relationships among youth and educates high school students about signs they often miss. I also carry an interest in global health, especially in areas such as maternal and child health, nutrition, and infectious diseases. I see a future where technology and health intersect in powerful ways, and I want to be part of building solutions that improve lives in Ghana and across Africa. Education gives me the skills, but my passion gives me the drive to act. This scholarship is not just support for my studies. It is an investment into a ripple effect. When I succeed, I carry others with me. My family, my mentees, and my community all benefit from my progress. My career will not end in personal achievement. It will translate into impact, systems, and opportunities that outlive me. My story started with a chalkboard lesson, but with the right education and resources, I believe it will end with classrooms full of students in Ghana and beyond who finally have the tools they need to dream without limits.

I looked at her bare bones laid out in a glass box and wondered: "How did we get here?" The day I visited the National Museum of Ethiopia and saw Lucy, a fossil of an early bipedal Hominin species, was the day I became infatuated with Evolution and Genetics. My country, Ethiopia, is embellished with a beautiful history. The first humans migrated out of Ethiopia and its neighboring areas and evolved into what we are today. I like to see myself as one of those early humans. Those that stepped out of what they knew to explore new worlds. They discovered and tamed the elements and helped the generations after them. By leaving the comfort of familiarity and seeking better knowledge, I hope to benefit my country in endless ways. But sometimes, I have so many goals, it’s hard to keep track. My biggest goal in life is to start a research institute in Ethiopia, dedicated to genetic research. I want to use the knowledge of genetics to help in agriculture, as my country heavily depends on agriculture for its economy. We would develop crops that are specialized to withstand harsh conditions, while maintaining their nutritional value. That would tackle the problem of famine. I also want my research institute to use genetics to help solve problems such as diseases using gene therapy or gene transfer. I also want to dedicate part of my institute to learning more about our evolutionary history. I want our own people to discover their ancestors, to decode the messages and see how far we’ve come. I think that it would be incredibly motivating for my fellow citizens to see how far we humans have come. I would create so many job opportunities in the process. Another goal of mine that is close to my heart, which isn’t really related to my major, is saving the horses in my country. Ethiopians sometimes uses horse-driven carriages for transporting goods along short distances. Sadly, when the horses become sick or old, the owners just leave them on the side of the road, and they end up being hit by cars or eaten by hyenas in the night. I’ve always been deeply disturbed by this sight, so it has always been a dream of mine to start an animal shelter. I would start with horses, but I would also eventually help save other animals as well. We could revive these horses and maybe develop a horse-racing industry, or they could be helpful in agriculture and transport. Or they could just be healthy and safe and beautiful. The US higher education system is multifaceted, so I would be able to learn more about animal activism and entrepreneurship, while pursuing a career in research. I have so many plans for my life, and I want to make sure everything I do benefits at least one person. Transitioning to college in a foreign country can be overwhelming, but with foundations like Crenati financially investing in me, and with my goals set in mind, I would be able to stand on my own two feet- just as my bipedal ancestor Lucy had- and I’d walk through life, not sure whether to marvel at the diversity of the people around me, or at how much we’re all genetically alike. Homo Hablils had stone tools, Homo erectus had fire, and I will hopefully have Crenati. And when, a couple of years down the road, I look back at my life and what I've accomplished and ask myself, "How did we get here?" , I truly hope that Crenati will be part of the answer.