Sara Yirgalem Wolde studied clinical Optometry in her undergrad and has been working as an assistant lecturer at the Department of Optometry since she graduated in 2017. Sara has always been passionate about joining a health profession that enables clients to participate in their activities of daily living and that works collaboratively with clients to achieve goals. The Occupational Therapy Program offered by Queen’s University in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation appeared to be a great chance to fulfill this dream.

The collaboration with Queen’s and University of Gondar pioneering to provide training opportunities of studying Occupational Therapy to open the first Occupational Therapy program will open doors that will cover huge gaps in Ethiopia. Occupational Therapy is essential to improve the quality of life of people living with a disability or those who require rehabilitation. We are fortunate to now have access to a profession that will strengthen services for persons living with disabilities. Sara is grateful to be part of taking this magnificent step, which will help to brighten the country’s future. Sara hopes to bring what she learned during her study and identify feasible ways to provide Occupational Therapy clinical service at the University of Gondar. Sara is also looking forward to collaborating with Occupational Therapy Fellows and being part of teaching future Occupational Therapists.

Hosaena Nigatu Bitew studied clinical optometry as an undergraduate and has worked in the Department of Optometry as an assistant lecturer and clinical optometrist since graduating in 2018. Hosaena, as an optometrist, has encountered many visually challenged and low-vision patients who require specialized rehabilitation therapies.

Hosaena has always aspired to participate in a new project for people with disability. The Occupational Therapy Program created by Queen’s University and the Mastercard Foundation was an excellent means to realize this objective. The pioneering cooperation between Queen’s University and the University of Gondar to give training opportunities for studying Occupational Therapy to create the first Occupational Therapy program in Ethiopia will open doors that will fill significant needs in Ethiopia for people with disabilities. Occupational Therapy is critical for improving the quality of life of those with disabilities or those in need of rehabilitation.

Hosaena is honoured to be a part of this historic milestone that will assist in brightening the country’s future. Hosaena intends to apply what he learnt throughout his studies to find viable ways to give Occupational Therapy clinical services at the University of Gondar. Hosaena is incredibly excited about working with Occupational Therapy Fellows and training future Occupational Therapists.

Nardos studied environmental and occupational health and safety in her undergrad and has worked as a lecturer at the Department of environmental and occupational health and safety.  Nardos has always been passionate about joining the health profession. The Occupational Therapy Program offered by Queen’s University in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation is a great chance to fulfill this dream. At the same time, she desires to work directly with people and make a positive and lasting change in their lives by empowering them and helping them discover their strengths and confidence in themselves to achieve their goals.

The pioneering collaboration between Queen’s and the University of Gondar to provide opportunities for studying Occupational Therapy to open Ethiopia’s first Occupational Therapy program will open doors that will fill significant gaps in Ethiopia. This collaboration offers an invaluable opportunity for international experience, knowledge, and skill transfer.

Nardos’s goal after completing her MSc in Occupational Therapy is to help develop the profession of occupational therapy in Ethiopia by providing clinical services and teaching. She aspires as an occupational therapist to achieve inclusion and social integration and to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.

Rahel completed her Bachelor’s degree in Comprehensive Nursing and Master’s degree in Medical Nursing at the University of Gondar (UoG). Before joining the MSc in Occupational therapy studies at Queen’s University, she worked as a graduate assistant and assistant lecturer in the department of Medical Nursing at UoG. Becoming a participant in a profession that aims to serve others has always been her dream.

Rahel was motivated to be a part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program because of her interest in joining the program’s ideals, which are promoting inclusive services and developing new occupational therapy programmes in Africa. She hopes that during her stay at Queen’s University, she will be able to participate in different opportunities to gain experience in the field of occupational therapy to better prepare her for her future role as an educator and therapist.

She believes the collaboration between UoG and Queen’s has brought more attention to the issue of disability in the Ethiopian context. In the future, she believes this relationship will yield additional benefits, especially in the strengthening of occupational therapy discipline in Ethiopia. This field creates professionals that help individuals participate in meaningful activities despite their health status. Occupational therapy’s diverse nature will allow professionals to work with various populations in different settings. Therefore, it enables reaching every part of the community. After completing her studies at Queen’s, Rahel hopes to bring the experiences she acquired, both theoretical and practical skills, back to UoG to participate in the expanding field of occupational therapy in Ethiopia.