Tsinat youth training, called “The 300 Leaders” is a program established to empower and equip young leaders with intellectual and developmental disabilities from Ethiopian community. The “300 Leaders” is a program established with the aim of providing a free leadership training for Ethiopian ancestry youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program will focus on creating mature and competent citizens who will be able to make a significant contribution to the community. The 300 Leadership is planned to be completed in a 4 months’ time span. The project will run from January 7, 2021 to April 10, 2021. 

The Washington Metropolitan region is home to the largest number of Ethiopian migrants in the world. Today, Ethiopians are the largest African immigrant groups in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, making up one-fifth of the region’s African diaspora. Due to the highest number of Ethiopian immigrants in the DC area, in 2004 DC Mayor signed the DC Language Access Act. This Act provided government services in Ethiopian native language, called Amharic. Montgomery County is the first jurisdiction in the nation to name September African Heritage Month and host annual Ethiopian Festival in Silver Spring, MD.

Based on a joint report presented by World Health Organization, there is an estimated 15 million people with disabilities in Ethiopia. This number represent 17.6 % of the population. Traditionally, families with disabled children, especially intellectual and developmental disability, are considered to be punished as a consequence of the anger of God or an ancestral spirit. As a result, only 3% of the country’s estimated children with disabilities go to school.

 Ethiopian immigrants in the U.S. are a direct reflection of persons with disabilities in Ethiopia. In the Ethiopian community people with disabilities face negative stereotypes. They face different barrios such us communication, physical, social, and other barriers that prevent them from learning, living, working, and playing in their communities. With a concern of negative stereotype labeling, most people with disabilities are not willing to identify themselves in the community. In the U.S., estimated 98 % of Ethiopian persons with disabilities are depend on government assistance or family support. People with disabilities can and want to be productive members of the society. Providing training opportunities for youth with disabilities are our top priorities for the reduction of poverty and removal of barriers of attitude, stereotypes, and communications in the Ethiopian community.

The present leadership training opts to focus specifically on leadership development of youth group with disabilities. Selected participants will participate in leadership development training that prepares them for future employment and increased community engagement. We will focus on students to increase their knowledge of tools and techniques to develop personal skills specific to leadership, social skills and self-esteem. As a result, youth with disabilities from Ethiopian Communities will be empowered to achieve their goals both in the community and in the workplace. 

The spread of the coronavirus has resulted in unprecedented changes in a way that the world functions and has set limitations on how we interact with each other. We realize these changes may be particularly challenging for individuals with disability, especially children with intellectual disability. Tsinat Institute compiled autism-specific resources for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families as they navigate remote learning.

As we continue to navigate uncertainties due to the coronavirus, our top priorities are the health and safety of students and families. It is our hope we can help and support families as they develop new routines within their homes. Tsinat Institute plan to address restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing virtual and personal meetings alternatively.  Our virtual materials include specific adaptations fitted with Ethiopians’ culture and can be used across ages and skills.

 When face to face contact is implemented, Tsinat Institute will follow all social distancing guideline set forth by the state of Maryland and limit the number of participants as directed. We will implement the use Personal Protective Equipment and cleaning guidance and provide the training in a safe environment for the trainees and the trainers.

The grant of this project is obtained from Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. The project will pilot specific interventions aiming to reach out with support services for youth with disabilities. We also partnered with SupAbilities LLC to get training specialist and professional special need teachers. We also using volunteers who are qualified to teach youth leadership, social skill and personal development for youth with disabilities.

For the success of this training, we need financial and volunteers support. We are looking volunteers who are qualified to teach youth leadership, social skill and personal development for youth with disabilities. Part of the training expense is covered by Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. We ask groups and individuals to support with the matching financial support for the cost of teaching materials. Tsinat Institute is run by volunteers and 100% of your donation goes to the training.