AFRICA | A determined African woman named Bethelhem Mihret has defied years of rejection and discrimination to win the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.
The Chevening Scholarship will allow her to pursue a Master’s in Social Justice in Education at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Bethlehem’s journey redefines perseverance. Born with a hearing impairment, she faced barriers that could have easily silenced her dreams.
Yet, instead of giving up, she turned her challenges into a lifelong mission to advocate for children with disabilities and prove that education is a right, not a privilege.
Bethelhem's Story and How She Did It
Bethelhem began her academic journey at Addis Ababa University in 2020, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Teaching, graduating with an outstanding 3.93/4.00 CGPA in 2023.
Her academic excellence also earned her three gold medals from the university. Despite her achievements, Bethlehem’s story was not without challenges.
Initially, her dream was to study Health Sciences. She first enrolled at the University of Gondar, but due to her hearing impairment, she was denied admission. ”Even when I begged to move into pharmacy classes, I was denied,” she said.
“My dream was taken away, and my right to choose my future was denied,” she recalled.
Not giving up, she retook her entrance exams, scored high, and gained admission into another university. However, she was rejected again, not because she did not meet the cutoff mark, but because of her disability.
Eventually, she was transferred into a program at a different school, Addis Ababa University, that provided sign language interpretation, not by choice, but because it was the only available option.
Bethlehem stated that instead of allowing these experiences to affect her instead it birthed a passion for social justice and inclusive education.
After completing her first degree, Bethelhem went on to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2025, also from Addis Ababa University. It was after this degree, she began combining academic knowledge with advocacy.
Her commitment to inclusion and equality soon caught the attention of NGO’s with similar goals.
Bethelhem joined UNICEF Ethiopia, contributing to projects that support children with disabilities in border regions, helping parents, educators, and communities remove barriers to education.
She also became an active voice in leadership. At the YALI Regional Leadership Center in Nairobi, she was crowned Queen of KUCC, an honor given by outstanding leaders from 14 African countries, recognizing her as a role model for resilience and social change.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized among so many incredible individuals. This accomplishment means an unforgettable memory to me,” she shared.
After years of setbacks, Bethlehem’s unwavering determination and faith finally paid off when she was selected for the Chevening Scholarship on her first scholarship attempt.
Beyond academics, the Chevening Scholarship board also looks out for the impact you will make when given the opportunity. Check HERE for more details on eligibility.
”Applying for Chevening was my very first scholarship attempt. It took energy, sacrifice, prayers, and unwavering faith. I believe deeply that God’s timing is perfect and this opportunity is part of His plan for me,” Bethlehem said.
Through Chevening, she will now study Social Justice in Education at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she hopes to deepen her understanding of inclusive education policies and contribute to reforming educational systems for children with disabilities.
Looking ahead, Bethlehem hopes to represent the countless voices that have been silenced by stigma and exclusion and the change that education can bring when given a chance.
“No child should ever be told what they can or cannot become because of disability,” she affirmed.
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