Grade 8
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
meet
meet
Grade 8
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Yordanos is a bright, ambitious 14-year-old in the 8th grade with a big heart and big dreams. Living with his parents, three brothers, and one sister, Yordanos is the youngest in his family. When he’s not studying, you can find him playing football with his siblings—a pastime that keeps him active and connected with those he loves.
Yordanos’s friends and family often praise him for his academic excellence, good behavior, and communication skills. He’s also known for his dedication to helping his parents with household chores.
At school, Yordanos’s favorite subjects are Science and History, subjects that fuel his fascination with space, Earth, and the stars. “I want to be an astronaut because I like looking at the stars at night and wondering what secrets they hold,” he says. Yordanos is working hard to make his dreams a reality.
Before Splash came to his school, Yordanos and his classmates faced challenges accessing clean drinking water. Most of the time, their school had water, but it wasn’t treated. Since Splash started working with the school, Yordanos has learned the importance of using water wisely and keeping his environment clean—knowledge he eagerly shares with his family and friends.
Yordanos is also the leader of his school’s Gender Club, a role he took on after attending a gender training session that piqued his interest. He enjoys preparing for events like Menstrual Hygiene (MH) Day, where he collaborates with other club members to raise awareness about menstrual health through drama and educational shows. For Yordanos, being part of the gender club is rewarding because he feels like he is making a difference in his community.
Through his involvement in the Gender Club, Yordanos has gained a deeper understanding of gender equity and the changes that occur during puberty. He’s proud of the knowledge he’s acquired and the impact he’s making, whether it’s educating his peers about menstruation or standing up against teasing and discrimination.
Looking ahead, Yordanos and his fellow Gender Club members have big plans. They’re committed to continuing their efforts to educate others, even as they prepare to transition to high school. Yordanos is especially proud of the certificate he received after his training and the role he played in this year’s MH Day celebration. For him, the greatest reward is seeing the positive changes in attitudes and behaviors among his peers, especially the boys who now have a better understanding of menstruation.
Yordanos’s journey is one of growth, learning, and leadership. He’s working to build ab better future for himself and for his community.
You can bring Splash programs to more students like Yordanos by making a donation here.