Biography

Eldana Demisew Benti was born and raised in Kella, Gurage Zone. She grew up in a big and loving family, where she learned kindness, respect, and the importance of helping others. Growing up in the Gurage community also instilled in her the values of hard work and compassion.

She studied at Kella Elementary and Secondary School and later joined Bahir Dar University to pursue a degree in Computer Science. University life taught her the beauty of diversity. Living with different people in one dormitory helped her understand various personalities, respect differences, communicate effectively, and live peacefully with others.

Eldana’s dream of serving communities began in Grades 9 and 10, when a Peace Corps Volunteer came to her community and served for two years. She assisted the Volunteer with her community project, and the Volunteer’s kindness and dedication deeply inspired her. This experience sparked Eldana’s dream of becoming someone who could serve others.

After graduating from university, she worked on a USAID-funded project for one year. This opportunity helped her understand the importance of supporting communities and sustainable development. When the project suddenly ended, it taught her an even deeper lesson about self-reliance and the importance of lasting change.