Do you remember a special teacher that made learning fun and brought the subjects to life?
Mesfin Tulu is just such a teacher. You will never see kids more interested in Math, then when Mesfin is teaching them. With his kindness, confidence, and competence Mesfin is easily one of the top teachers at the BCI Academy, loved by students, parents and other faculty alike.
Mesfin is 30 year olds and holds a bachelor’s degree. He has a love of learning and teaching and he credits this to his own experience with a great, life-changing teacher, Mr. Gashaw.
Mesfin says “Mr. Gashaw really inspired me. He gave his students so much more than most teachers – taking the time with us and making us feel special. I want to be like him, a brother/father to each student.”
Mesfin’s classes with Mr. Gashaw were so life inspiring that he decided he wanted to be a teacher and encourage children like Mr. Gashaw encouraged him. Since joining the BCI Academy last year, Mesfin has proven himself to be a skilled teacher who not only brings his knowledge of the subject matter but his kindness and heart for children to the BCI Academy.
When we asked other faculty members about Mesfin’s greatest qualities, three stood out:
- understanding of his students,
- very knowledgeable and competent in his subject matter,
- confident in himself
Mesfin loves what he does and it shows every day in his joyous attitude and interaction with his students, but this doesn’t mean his job comes without struggles.
Mesfin and his students after class.
Because of Mesfin’s compassion and heart for his students, he finds his greatest challenge to be finding a balance in working with students who have no help at home. He wants to divide his attention equally but his heart is torn by the children who need that extra support in the classroom.
Another challenge he faces is getting by on the income of an Ethiopian teacher. The average income of a teacher in Ethiopia is around $100 USD per month. Yes, you read that right. $100 USD. The average cost to rent a house/apartment is $60 USD per month and this is just a small, one-bedroom home. Nothing extravagant. It doesn’t leave much left to live on when 60% of your income goes towards simply keeping a roof over your head.
Because of Mesfin’s skill, passion and now, experience, he could take a position at a private school and make a slightly higher wage. This would allow him to live more comfortably but would not give him the opportunity to work with poor, underprivileged children.
Mesfin giving some students one on one help.
We greatly appreciate Mesfin and his heart and would like to reward his altruistic selflessness by subsidizing his salary with a stipend of $45/mo. This may not sound like a lot but for Mesfin, this will be a huge blessing and ease some of his financial struggles.
If you are a teacher, if you know a teacher or if you have children in school, you can attest to how hard working and generous teachers are. You know that they most certainly don’t do it for the money, but for the children. If we can make life a little easier for Mesfin, what a blessing that would be!
Would you consider supporting Mesfin, as he continues to give his all for the children at the BCI Academy? If you are unable to commit to a monetary donation, would you share this need?
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Blessing the Children International 