Call to Action
It has come to our attention that Ethiopia's only girls' orphanage is being dissolved, with
the girls and young women currently in its care being displaced to make way for a
military cadet school. This deeply concerning decision places one of the country's most
vulnerable populations at risk and threatens the legacy of a vital national institution. We
respectfully urge the relevant authorities to reconsider and reverse this decision before
irreversible harm is done.
The Appeal
As the great granddaughter of Empress Menen, I write this appeal in the hope that it will receive
the attention that it deserves. Empress Menen (1889–1962) was one of Ethiopia's most
influential queens and a lifelong champion of girls' education and women's welfare. She
dedicated her life to expanding opportunities for the marginalized, becoming a role model for
generations of Ethiopian women. During the Second World War, while the world suffered under
Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, she stood as a beacon of integrity, hope, and moral courage,
advocating for peace, justice, and unity through international women's organizations.
Her greatest and most enduring legacy was her commitment to education and the welfare of
girls. In 1930, she founded Ethiopia's first all-girls secondary school, Etege Menen Secondary
School, giving girls unprecedented access to education and professional opportunities and
transforming the status of women in Ethiopia. Inspired by her mother, Weizero Sehin, who had
established some of the first public schools in Wollo, Empress Menen continued a tradition of
breaking barriers and investing in women's future.
Following Ethiopia's liberation from Fascist occupation in 1941, and moved by the suffering of
thousands of war orphans, Empress Menen donated her personal estate at Kechen for the
establishment of a girls' orphanage. Since her death in 1962, the institution has continued under
government administration, serving generations of vulnerable girls. It remains a unique and
irreplaceable legacy of compassion, public service, and national responsibility.
As a great granddaughter of Empress Menen, along with my long standing work in the
protection and promotion of Ethiopia and her heritage, I and those with me respectfully appeal
to the authorities to ensure that this historic institution continues to fulfill its original mission by
serving Ethiopian girls, who deserve protection, education, and the opportunity to become
valuable citizens of our nation.
Princess Esther Sellassie Antohin
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
July 16, 2026
57 Comments
An historically necessary, useful and efficient institution is threaten. Moreover the decision to turn it into a military school is a disgrace knowing this orphanage was built upon the disaster of war leaving girls orphan and highly vulnerable in a warrior society
The orphanage has been supporting millions of girls over the years. When the government displaced others they didn’t provide them a proper place. So they are not going to replace them with a suitable place. I doubt it if they will provide any place. In fact they may be dispersed all over.
This petition is important to me because an orphanage is more than just a building, it is a safe home for vulnerable children who deserve stability, care, and hope for the future. Demolishing it would take away their sense of security and community. I urge the authorities to protect this orphanage and explore alternatives that put the well-being and best interests of these children first.
Girls who have already lost so much should not lose the only home that has protected and nurtured them.
This is a worthy cause
I am moved by the compassion and empathy of this organisation. We are all born into this earth individual and naked by Almighty Father Gods Grace, with support and love anything is possible, Empress Menen saw the initiative to provide the support that was missing by being the Good Samaritan. We all deserve a chance, by Our Lord and Saviours will, what a beautiful opportunity would be missed to be our sister’s keeper if this institution born of love were to be dissolved.
Keeping the works alive.
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Call to Action
It has come to our attention that Ethiopia's only girls' orphanage is being dissolved, with
the girls and young women currently in its care being displaced to make way for a
military cadet school. This deeply concerning decision places one of the country's most
vulnerable populations at risk and threatens the legacy of a vital national institution. We
respectfully urge the relevant authorities to reconsider and reverse this decision before
irreversible harm is done.
The Appeal
As the great granddaughter of Empress Menen, I write this appeal in the hope that it will receive
the attention that it deserves. Empress Menen (1889–1962) was one of Ethiopia's most
influential queens and a lifelong champion of girls' education and women's welfare. She
dedicated her life to expanding opportunities for the marginalized, becoming a role model for
generations of Ethiopian women. During the Second World War, while the world suffered under
Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, she stood as a beacon of integrity, hope, and moral courage,
advocating for peace, justice, and unity through international women's organizations.
Her greatest and most enduring legacy was her commitment to education and the welfare of
girls. In 1930, she founded Ethiopia's first all-girls secondary school, Etege Menen Secondary
School, giving girls unprecedented access to education and professional opportunities and
transforming the status of women in Ethiopia. Inspired by her mother, Weizero Sehin, who had
established some of the first public schools in Wollo, Empress Menen continued a tradition of
breaking barriers and investing in women's future.
Following Ethiopia's liberation from Fascist occupation in 1941, and moved by the suffering of
thousands of war orphans, Empress Menen donated her personal estate at Kechen for the
establishment of a girls' orphanage. Since her death in 1962, the institution has continued under
government administration, serving generations of vulnerable girls. It remains a unique and
irreplaceable legacy of compassion, public service, and national responsibility.
As a great granddaughter of Empress Menen, along with my long standing work in the
protection and promotion of Ethiopia and her heritage, I and those with me respectfully appeal
to the authorities to ensure that this historic institution continues to fulfill its original mission by
serving Ethiopian girls, who deserve protection, education, and the opportunity to become
valuable citizens of our nation.
Princess Esther Sellassie Antohin
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
July 16, 2026
57 Comments
When one is born and abandoned or either parent will not walk the earth to love and raise their child , when a stranger/s step in and see the beauty and invest the love and energy, providing basic needs which includes emotional warmth its at this point , when a child has a place they can call home, feel safe and loved. Taking away what has no doubt took years for the girls to overcome will add to more unnecessary trauma and for some abuse, poor health , the list is endless SO NO TO CLOSUR.
An historically necessary, useful and efficient institution is threaten. Moreover the decision to turn it into a military school is a disgrace knowing this orphanage was built upon the disaster of war leaving girls orphan and highly vulnerable in a warrior society
The orphanage has been supporting millions of girls over the years. When the government displaced others they didn’t provide them a proper place. So they are not going to replace them with a suitable place. I doubt it if they will provide any place. In fact they may be dispersed all over.
This petition is important to me because an orphanage is more than just a building, it is a safe home for vulnerable children who deserve stability, care, and hope for the future. Demolishing it would take away their sense of security and community. I urge the authorities to protect this orphanage and explore alternatives that put the well-being and best interests of these children first.
Girls who have already lost so much should not lose the only home that has protected and nurtured them.
This is a worthy cause
I am moved by the compassion and empathy of this organisation. We are all born into this earth individual and naked by Almighty Father Gods Grace, with support and love anything is possible, Empress Menen saw the initiative to provide the support that was missing by being the Good Samaritan. We all deserve a chance, by Our Lord and Saviours will, what a beautiful opportunity would be missed to be our sister’s keeper if this institution born of love were to be dissolved.
Keeping the works alive.
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When one is born and abandoned or either parent will not walk the earth to love and raise their child , when a stranger/s step in and see the beauty and invest the love and energy, providing basic needs which includes emotional warmth its at this point , when a child has a place they can call home, feel safe and loved. Taking away what has no doubt took years for the girls to overcome will add to more unnecessary trauma and for some abuse, poor health , the list is endless SO NO TO CLOSUR.