Nathanael Elias, a 2024 SISF winner, exemplifies resilience and determination in his journey. His story begins in Hawassa, Ethiopia, where he faced adversity at a young age. “The loss of my father forced me to mature beyond my years,” he shared. He credits his mother, Buzuayehu Ergete, as a pillar of support during this challenging time. “She taught me the virtues of resiliency, independence, and never settling for average as a mom and [a] leader. Her steadfast encouragement and the knowledge [that] I gained from her have greatly influenced who I am now. I will always be thankful that I had such a strong role model in my life,” Nathanael shared.
Driven by a passion for learning, Nathanael excelled academically and was particularly inclined towards the medical field. This led him to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. “My long-held dream of becoming a doctor of medicine was realized when I was accepted into the prestigious Addis Ababa University,” he told us.
Currently in his senior year of medical school, Nathanael is working diligently towards his long-term goal of specializing in cardiology. He also plans to complement his medical degree with a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Business Administration.
Aspire Leaders Program experience
“Participating in the Aspire leadership program turned out to be a life-changing event,” Nathanael shared. The curriculum transformed his perspective and challenged him to take initiative to solve local issues. He found the masterclasses led by Aspire Institute’s co-founders, Prof. Tarun Khanna and Prof. Karim Lakhani very inspiring. “Professor Khanna’s insights on ‘Healthcare for masses across the world’, were fascinating and motivating to me as a medical student, and they further fueled my desire to address healthcare disparities in poor nations,” Nathanael recounted.
SISF project ‘RiseUpSRH’
His SISF project, ‘RiseUpSRH’ aligns with his desire to make a lasting impact in his community. The project addresses the information gap in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among high school students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nathanael explained, “The issue is that the lack of comprehensive and trustworthy SRH information has resulted in negative outcomes, such as a high rate of STIs, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion practices, and increased prevalence of gender-based violence among young people.”
As part of this project, Nathanael conducted an awareness campaign reaching over 600 adolescents, including nearly 100 deaf students. The project has also developed a mobile app that provides SRH educational resources for youth across Ethiopia. “I’m grateful for the technical expertise and deep commitment of fellow medical student and mobile app developer, Abenezer Girma, who has been instrumental in bringing this digital solution to life,” Nathanael noted.
Looking ahead, Nathanael plans to expand RiseUpSRH into a youth-led organization, addressing a broader range of health issues affecting Ethiopia’s youth. “By leveraging the power of a youth-led movement, we will amplify the voices of those who are most affected by these pressing health challenges,” he stated.
Nathanael’s journey to be a catalyst for change in his community is a testament to the power of perseverance. “I am honored to be a part of the Aspire alumni community and hope to help empower Ethiopia’s future generation of leaders and change-makers,” he concluded.
