Meet Abeba (Abby) Aberham, a mom of three and career woman who has recently started a scholarship fund to honor her late aunt, Negiste. Read along in this Q&A with Abby to learn more about what inspired her to start this fund and how you can apply or donate to this great cause.

What is your background/career?

I am a social worker by training.  As a social worker I investigated reports of child abuse and neglect for the department of social services while residing in North Carolina and Savannah Georgia.  In 2006 I made a career pivot and pursued a career in pharmaceutical sales. Currently, I am working as an oncology sales consultant with Janssen Biotech- a pharmaceutical company of Johnson&Johnson.

What is the name of your scholarship?

NEGISTE’S SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP

Tell us why you have started a scholarship foundation using your aunt’s name. Who was she to you and how has her role in your life impacted you? 

Do you have someone in your life that has profoundly and completely impacted the trajectory of your life? That person for me was my aunt Negiste.

I was born in a small village in Wollo (Ethiopia) to a young mother. My father Abraham who was born in Eritrea was working in Dessie as an agriculturist at the time of my birth. Shortly after my birth my father migrated to Saudi Arabia for better opportunities and employment but, he passed away very soon after his arrival.

I was 4 years old at the time of his passing. My young mother was unemployed and unable to care for me. It was my Godmother who stepped in as she had promised my father to take care of me; she became my guardian. My father, Abraham had also asked his only sister Negiste to make sure she looked after me and educated me if something happened to him.

On my 8th birthday, my aunt Negiste, who was living in Saudi Arabia, came in search for me, adopted me and changed the trajectory of my life through education, unmatched devotion and love!

To honor my father’s unwavering love for me, my aunt’s devotion to my father and to me- and the education and life they made possible for me- l have decided to establish a scholarship to support young scholars that come from similar circumstances.

The scholarship will serve and support children that are raised in a single parent household and living in the United States.

Is there a particular moment or memory about your aunt that stands out to you the most? 

Negiste and I lived in Saudi Arabia for one year together. I gained much respect for Negiste watching her navigate a society that was not very friendly to women (particularly single women). Realizing the limitations living in Saudi Arabia would have on my life, my aunt made the difficult decision to send me to my uncle and his family living in Athens Greece at the time.

My uncle and his family were refugees and working on the immigration process to come to the United States. My aunt Negiste was always looking out for my best interest and looking to make certain I had a bright future.

It gives me so much joy knowing I was so loved by Negiste and that love has been seared in my heart and mind and it is a powerful source that continues to propel me through life. I try to pay it forward in memory of her and my father.

As a mom to a college student yourself, what has been most surprising to you about the college application process and/or process in searching for and receiving scholarships?

Our daughter carved out a unique and unconventional road to college. She was enrolled in a “Dual program” where she started her college career while in high school and gained many college credits.

When students take college classes while in high school parents only pay 50% of the college tuition (the county pays the remainder 50%). Our daughter enrolled in summer college classes and transferred with over 60 college credits. She will graduate college at the age of 20 in 2024.

Our middle son is in 9th grade, and we will start college visits soon. The college process in the United States is complex. We start the college conversation early and we involve our children in the journey as it’s important that they are fully involved and vested.

How are you raising funds for this scholarship and where can readers go to support this great program?

Mostly through a GoFundMe initiative. Currently we’ve raised $3,375 and we hope to reach our $5,000 goal by June 2023. Please support students in our community and donate using this GoFundMe link.

Who is the perfect candidate for this scholarship and where can they go to learn more and hopefully apply for it?

Any high school graduate, first year college bound Eritrean or Ethiopian student that resides in a single parent household. The award is $1000 per student (undergraduate).

Depending on funding, we hope to award 5 students.

Lastly, what is your big dream for this scholarship fund in terms of impact and reach?

The ultimate goal is to establish an endowment at a few Universities to create a lasting impact and serve students and families in our community long term, and continue Negiste’s legacy for many generations to come.

Students and parents can:

 Email for more information or collaboration at: negiste2023@gmail.com

 Find us on Instagram here.